Sneaky Data Leaks

What if we told you that you could be responsible for your own identity theft? The amount of personal information shared on social media networks can be used to gather the right mix of personal information that attackers then use to steal your identity and access your accounts.

Most of the time, social media is a fun space to stay connected with friends and family. However, as it continues to be the norm to share all details of life, it is jeopardizing your data and information.

What are attackers after?

The simple answer is money. And if they cannot get cash, then personal information becomes just as valuable. Why? Personal information is required in all aspects of life. Personally identifiable information includes:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Driver’s license number
• Address
• Email address

Think about what that information is associated with – bank accounts, mortgage, retirement, etc. The dedicated attackers will use whatever they can access to achieve their goal, which is to profit.

Where do you have personal information living?

Protecting online information is a lot like locking your house and car. It is just something we have all learned and know to do. The first step in protecting information is recognizing the type of information you have shared online, especially on social media platforms.

For example, security question answers are being given away. Whether it is in listicle-style posts or back to school, fun trends on social media ask specific questions that overlap with common security questions, putting your identity at great risk.

At the end of the day, second-guess what you are posting and the information you’re revealing. You might think that you know all your connections and it is simply fun with friends and family, but malicious people are everywhere online.

Ask yourself, is this post worth risking my identity?