Page 42 - Cyber Warnings

Cyber Security Risks on Social Media

As technology advances, social media has gained popularity over time. It has provided a
platform where people can freely express their feelings and get to interact with others, not
forgetting to make new friends each passing day.

It has made communication quite easy, and news spread so fast thanks to the social media
sites. However, while everyone is so keen to meet new people, form relations to feeling a sense
of belonging, there is little time to worry about their security.

Cybercrimes are continually increasing with the internet adoption, and the more you let people
in your life, the less safe you become. These people you interact with, “friends”, may have
different motives as they send their requests to become your friends.

Cybercrimes With The Use Of Social Media

Identity Theft

This is the most common form of cybercrime. It occurs without you knowing, only to try and
access your account and you find that you can’t get access to it. The next thing could be
draining your bank accounts. With this in mind, you ought to be vigilant and use strong
passwords to minimize the risk of identity theft occurring.

Leading Stalkers To You

In a bid to update your status, and post pictures on your page, people may connect the dots and
get information that they ought not to and then find you. For stalkers, who in many cases are so
keen to roughly examine what you post, may get hints of where you live or work, resulting in
them tracking you down when you least expect it.

It is therefore advisable to reveal as little personal information as possible, and not to reveal the
places where you stay to persons who you don’t even know.

Carelessness

Weekdays are usually the busiest days of the week. Everyone faces different challenges at their
place of work, and at times, things don’t go as planned. In a bid to vent and express your
frustrations, you may end up saying a lot that may not be necessary, more so where you are
angered.

The information released may then be used later on against you, and it may cost you your job if
you are not careful. This can be dealt with by minding what you say and post online. Moreover,

42 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – May 2017 Edition
Copyright © Cyber Defense Magazine, All rights reserved worldwide