Owning a blog or even having presence on social media sites is fantastic. Having the opportunity to share my thoughts, work and life with those who care to read has never been easier. Blogging in particular is great for telling the world my own story and perception of things, providing a channel through which I can share a little about ourselves and it has become a real life diary and a hobby I enjoy – but is there a limit?
As far as online safety is concerned, the answer may be ‘yes’. You may not realise it, but as a blogger, I realise that I share quite a lot about myself. I reveal my home town, family life, fashion sense and, if I feel the need to really open up, pictures of my home (I don’t do that very often as it is a mess). All this and more could fall into the hands of a cybercriminal, who may use that info in a variety of ways to defraud you.
Pros and cons
Great as blogging and social media may be, it’s worth bearing in mind that social media engagement in our industry comes with its own set of disadvantages too. For example, when posting a photo on Facebook, it’s likely to track where the image came from, alluding to your whereabouts. Also, you need to be careful what you take a picture of – your home, car or even family members.
When it comes to social media and online security, any info you display on your profile may be used by thieves to fill out innumerate forms such as credit card applications or car registrations. Even your smartphone may not be safe, especially if you use it as a satnav with your GPS, as it may save your driving history. The destination most frequented can only be one location…your home address!
Taking precautions