INTERNET SPECIAL..5 things you should never reveal on social networks

5 things you should never reveal on social networks

Many people fail to notice how their online lives endanger their day to day lives. An overload of information shared online, especially over social networks, is perhaps the biggest risk. Constant access to our devices and phones also allows us to share information at a level never seen before. But on the other hand, this also exposes us to several privacy risks and other threats.
Moreover, the anonymity of the Internet causes people to vent out feelings and share information that they would not have shared otherwise. Unfortunately, nothing on the web is anonymous anymore. With the right tools, anyone can be tracked down and any hidden/deleted piece of information can be found.
This suits cyber criminals and malicious parties. Some attackers abuse this information for innocent fun whereas some actively hunt for data to exploit so that they can gain from it. In other cases, reactions to something innocent are severe and bring unpredictable repercussions. With that in mind, here are 5 things you should never share over social networks.
Intimate or compromising photos of yourself
Contrary to popular belief, once something is posted online it stays there, even after it is deleted. You may not think it is a big deal to post compromising pictures/videos today, but this viewpoint is sure to change if you view the same image after a few years. Additionally, more and more recruiters are scouring through social networks today to judge an aspiring candidate. Do you want them to see unsavory images of you online? If not, avoid posting such content in the first place.
Personal phone numbers and address
When posts that share personal phone numbers and addresses are made public, there is bound to be someone who misuses that information. Many applications and features over social networks ask for such details, but it is best to withhold this information. Furthermore, do not post your number or address on public forums (or walls) as this will expose your private details to unwanted parties.
Abusive and incriminating posts against someone
Grievances against teachers, bosses and institutions should not be posted over social networks. You simply cannot predict if and when such posts will be viewed by the party that is the subject of your ire. And this could lead to unwanted consequences. A large number of people have been fired, arrested or more due to such posts. So if you have something unpleasant to say about someone, it is best to do so in private.
Personal banking details and credit/debit card numbers
It is fine to provide bank details and card numbers for a financial transaction online. But who in their right frame of mind would post such details over a social network? This is the worst possible platform to share such data and one must refrain from doing so, even if someone specifically asks for these credentials.
Constant updates and vacation plans
We strongly suggest that one avoids posting constant location updates and other similar posts. Keeping the social network informed about what you are constantly up to feels natural to some, but there are many malicious parties just waiting to pounce on such details. There have been several cases where people have been stalked and homes have been burgled, all thanks to a revealing status update.
Over exposure of information is something that can be avoided at any time. Think twice before you post or share anything over social networks like Facebook and Twitter. The information can be seen by malicious parties, authorities and potential online predators. Apart from this, ensure that your system and all the programs you run are updated. Also ensure that your system protection software runs on the latest build.

Nov 21, 2012 by Rahul Thadani