People share personal data online every day. This can happen by filling out forms on websites, which could include names, email addresses, phone numbers, etc., and posting in forums and on social media profiles. While this might be a normal occurrence for many individuals, there are risks that you should be aware of.
With the internet becoming a hunting ground for scammers, there are three main risks linked to sharing your personal data online. These risks are phishing scams, identity theft, and privacy breaches; all of which are discussed in more detail below.
Phishing Scams
When fraudsters use emails, phone calls, and text messages to trick individuals, this is called phishing. While the biggest aim of these scams is to make you visit a website on your device, which could then download viruses, or steal personal information like bank details and account login credentials. These scams have become even more difficult to spot due to the use of AI.
The best method to avoid becoming a victim of phishing scams is to notice the signs. Although it might look like these messages are from official contacts, you should pay attention to the email addresses or phone numbers that are being used. They will not be the authorized contacts of the organization, so you should not interact. Instead, contact the organization the scammer is pretending to be from and let them know that scammers are targeting their clients.
Identity Theft
One of the most significant risks that can arise from sharing personal information on the internet is identify theft. This is possible when sensitive data, such as name, date of birth, address, and financial information, is shared. When your identity is stolen, a stranger will use the information available for malicious purposes. The scammer could open credit card accounts or make fraudulent purchases using your name.
As this could leave you with a ruined credit history, even after the issue has been resolved, you must be careful online. This is the best method of preventing identity theft. You should analyze the information you are about to share and determine if the benefits outweigh any possible consequences. There could be risks associated with sharing the simplest of personal details that you have never even considered.
If you would like to see what information is already available to be found by online fraudsters, then you could use DeleteMe. This subscription service combs through your personal information provided by data brokers and requests the removal of such information.
Privacy Breaches
Privacy breaches can be rather common on certain websites, including social media platforms. Although most people will access these sites with the aim of maintaining friendships, social media websites will also collect large amounts of personal information to customize the user experience. This will allow them to present targeted advertising.
A known example of a privacy breach took place in April 2019, affecting Facebook. It was revealed that two datasets had been exposed from Facebook apps. This put more than 500 million users at risks, including their account names, Facebook IDs, and phone numbers. The issue didn’t end there, though, as the data was published on the dark web for free two years later.
Being in-the-know is imperative to safeguarding your personal data. You should be aware of the data collection practises that social media platforms and other sites have going forward, and adjust your privacy settings as required.
By reading this post, you will be more aware of the main risks of sharing personal data online and how to prevent these issues from occurring.
