Most of us use social networks as means to communicate with friends and notify others about our multiple activities. Also, there has been an increase of social media influencers who make their living through endorsement and postings.While some of us use social media to scroll through posts and videos all day for a quick distraction others use it to gather negative information. Digital Footprint Statistics uncover that a person who is at present 76 years of age, has gone through 145 minutes per day on social media and has amassed 5.7 years on these stages all through their life. In this blog, we talk about the risk of sharing too much online and how to use the Digital Footprint Checker to keep yourself safe.
If you’re concerned about your digital footprint, the KYC AML guide offers expert consultation on how to understand and manage risks. They provide personalized advice on data protection and resolving data protection issues.
The Risks of Oversharing Online
Based on this, it is envisaged that in 2023, 4. It is important to know that, worldwide, 9 billion Have you at any point thought about how does a cybercriminal get access to one’s information?
people throughout the world spend their time on social networks. Predicting the population of this region up to 2027, this number will reach 5. 85 billion. As consumers spread their digital footprint across numerous platforms, the gamble of cyberattacks increases. Oversharing on social media comes with several potential risks.
Identity Theft
Have you at any point thought about how cybercriminals can get their hands on your data? They frequently start with innocuous remarks you share via social media. Identity theft can be committed using your full name, date of birth, phone number, or even the name of your pet. Fraudsters can take your character, get to your records, and harm your personal and financial life. The PEW Research Center found that social media users who disclose their full birthdate on their profiles are four times more likely than those who do not to experience identity theft.
Phishing Attacks
Cybercriminals can use information from your social media profiles to create convincing phishing emails. They may link to private information, trick someone you know into using malicious redirects, or share confidential information. Social engineering attacks like phishing account for 98% of all identity theft incidents on social media. It’s important to be vigilant about these fraudulent tactics to protect your personal information using a digital footprint checker.
Password Vulnerability
In all honesty, many individuals use passwords that are not difficult to figure out from data shared on the web. Sharing details about your favorite sports team, hometown, or school might unknowingly give cybercriminals clues to crack your passwords. Shockingly, 75% of people still use weak passwords and overlook expert advice, as revealed by a recent global survey conducted by Keeper Security.
Social Engineering
By examining your social media activity scammers can acquire data about your preferences, interests, and connections. With this information, they have some control over your feelings, making it simpler to get individual data or commit fraudulent activities. The IBM 2023 Cost of a Data Breach report says that social engineering-related breaches typically cost more than $4.5 million.
Geolocation
Sharing your location can have serious consequences, despite its potential benefits. Expanding from your current location may pose a physical threat, such as theft or eviction. Additionally, you may unknowingly reveal that you are at home, making you a target for criminals.
Safeguarding Your Digital Footprint on Social Platforms
Protecting your digital footprint through a digital footprint checker is an important part of managing the online reputation of businesses and organizations. The following sections outline some best practices and important practices for monitoring your current digital footprint. When it comes to managing your digital footprint on social media platforms, following certain guidelines can improve your organization’s privacy:
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Enable Privacy Settings
Make sure advanced privacy settings are enabled on your organization’s social media accounts. This reduces the visibility of your message to unwanted people. According to PEW Research, only 22% of social media users regularly check their privacy settings, putting personal information at risk, and 64% are unaware of what settings are in place.
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Limit Sharing:
Be cautious when sharing information online. Be careful not to post private information that could be used maliciously. A faltering 78% of individuals share individual data via social media, making themselves a victim of identity fraud.
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Control Tags and Mentions:
Control who your organization can tag or mention in your posts. Unlabeled text may contain information that could harm the reputation.
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Monitor Comments:
Take a look at the comment section of your posts. Inaccurate or inappropriate comments can affect your organization’s image.
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Think Before Posting:
Before posting anything, think twice. Deleting posted content can be tough since it becomes part of your digital footprint.
The Importance of Digital Footprint Checker
Taking care of your digital footprint is important. Ignoring it could result in a negative reputation online. Ignoring your digital footprint could impact your job prospects, dating life, and even school opportunities. Plus, not keeping tabs on it could leave your data vulnerable to cyber risks like online fraud and identity theft. Once shared on the web, data can be hard to erase. Accessing and retaining outdated or unwanted information can lead to personal or professional harm. Therefore, a well-managed digital footprint checker supports responsible digital citizenship, highlighting the importance of managing your digital presence.
