Social Media and your personal security is becoming more important each day. You can now publicize and share practically any aspect of your life instantaneously using multiple social media venues. Pictures, videos, conversations… all content is available to anyone to whom you grant access, whether or not you know them personally.
Unfortunately, the advance of modern technology also has a downside; namely that it’s getting more difficult to keep personal information private, leading to a sense of decreased security. That is why social media and your personal security must be addressed. According to this Mediabistro article, “letting burglars know your whereabouts” is one of the top online threats to your personal security.
Here are a few tips for protecting your personal security on Facebook and other social media sites:
- Tighten up your security settings and specify who can see what information. Set your account so that Facebook has to ask your permission before posting certain items; the same goes for people posting pictures of you and tagging you in them.
- Don’t specify where you live and work, or publish your personal phone number or email address. Use private messaging or email for sharing sensitive information.
- Don’t advertise when you’re away from home. This gives potential burglars a huge advantage! Use common sense and avoid telling the world that your home will be empty for a week. It may seem hard to do, but try to keep details to a minimum and instead, post your great vacation photos and stories once you’ve returned home safely. Even then, you can control who can view your pictures.
- Be extra vigilant if you have kids. Don’t post details about their schools, sports teams, etc. This makes it easy for criminals to track you and know when you’re away from home for extended periods.
It sounds harsh because everyone likes to share their news and achievements with their family and friends, but people are always trolling the internet looking for ways into your private life. It’s frightening to realize what people can use against you when they have access to your personal information.
Then there’s the “selfie,” one of the buzzwords of 2014. Keep in mind when posting on Instagram, Tumblr, and other public sites that the photos themselves don’t necessarily compromise your personal security. But think about what might be in the background, for instance, such as the number on your house. You can also turn off location-based services that pinpoint exactly where you are when you post something.
Sites like YouTube, Pinterest and Twitter usually contain only the details that you choose to share, but you should still use caution when posting anything personal. Be careful when participating in chat rooms and online forums, as well. Again, it’s easy to “over share” details that could ultimately be seen by the wrong eyes.
All of the above is tied to your home security. You don’t want someone gaining private information via social media that enables them to victimize you at home. For more helpful hints regarding your personal security, browse some of our other blog posts. You can also contact us to learn why we’re the top security company on Long Island, and how our alarm systems and monitoring services can provide you with greater peace of mind.
