Laura Kankaala, Threat Intelligence Lead at online security software provider, F-Secure (F-Secure)
According to Laura Kankaala, Threat Intelligence Lead at online security software provider F-Secure, the way most people use social media exposes them to risks such as identity fraud and home burglaries. Kankaala shared six things she would never post on social media to protect herself.
These include avoiding posting photos of her house keys, back-to-school images of children, or any information that can identify places she frequents, such as her morning run route.
Photos taken near my home or sharing my location
Kankaala emphasized the importance of not inadvertently giving away her home address on social media. She explained, “I avoid taking and posting photos in and around my home that can reveal where I live. Recognizable landmarks, shops, and buildings can allow individuals with malicious intentions to accurately determine my location. Even seemingly innocent places like fire stations or convenience stores can provide valuable information. Additionally, sharing a map of my run, hike, or cycling route, especially if it starts from my home, can easily expose my address. It’s also crucial to be aware that certain social media apps have location sharing features, such as Snapchat, BeReal, and Facebook. It’s easy to forget this setting is enabled, so I recommend disabling it.”
Photos of my house keys or flight tickets
Sharing your flight tickets is dangerous
Kankaala cautioned against posting photos of house keys or flight tickets, as these seemingly innocent posts can pose risks. Sharing a photo of house keys after buying a new home can potentially enable someone to create a copy of them through 3D printing. To avoid any uninvited guests, it’s best to keep the keys out of the shot. Likewise, posting flight tickets online can expose personal information and make it easier for malicious individuals to cancel the ticket as a prank.
Photos of children going back to school
Although it has become popular to post pictures of children on their doorstep on the first day of school, Kankaala highlighted the potential risks involved. She advised, “When schools reopen, parents often post pictures of their children in front of their houses, clearly displaying their house numbers and school uniforms. I would urge caution when sharing such images online. At the very least, blur out the badge and house number.”
Photos in the workplace
Kankaala stressed the ease with which individuals can unintentionally reveal sensitive information about their workplace. For example, taking a photo of a laptop or device in a coffee shop can inadvertently expose private details on the screen. With the high-quality photographs produced by smartphone cameras, zooming into the shot can allow others to read the content of emails or confidential work dashboards. The same applies to personal email accounts. If sharing such a photo is necessary, it’s important to lock the device screen beforehand.
Photos of other people without their consent
Consider whether the individuals in an image or video want to be associated with it before posting. Kankaala advised, “While it’s common to share photos of friends online, it’s essential to ask for permission beforehand. Assuming everyone is comfortable with it can potentially have negative consequences. There may be situations where someone is in an abusive relationship, and sharing their photo online could put them in danger. Asking for consent before posting is not only good manners but also ensures the safety and privacy of others.”
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