To Share Or Not To Share…

Posted on Dec 24 2013 - 9:18am by Noah Gamer

Sharing

It’s easy to forget that everything you post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and every other social media outlet has the possibility of making its way to people you don’t know. Sure, you might not care if others know about your elegantly plated, homemade duck confit, but what about personal information, photos, passwords and other private data? Being safe online means know what to share and what not to share.

Share: Photos from your most recent trip to New England. Those beautifully colored leaves are a welcome sight in your friends’ workday.

Don’t share: Photos in front of your house, or a photo of your new driver’s license. Posting photos like these give too much information, leading to possible threats.

Share:A shout out to the friends you had dinner and drinks with last night.

Don’t share: A detailed itinerary of tonight’s plan. You never know who might find out you’re going to be at the neighborhood steakhouse and show up to share a bite.

Share: Nostalgic photos of you on the campus quad during college.

Don’t Share: College photos with a beer bong and a cutoff top… remember “friending” your new boss last week?

You get the picture.

Protect what you’re sharing with your social platform’s security settings. Many now have automatic location information attached to posts. Make sure to turn these off when you don’t want to communicate your every move. Another security feature allows you to limit who can find you on certain sites. Use these to create a safe environment while you socialize.

Even with the best social sharing habits, the most meticulously private non-sharer can have their personal data leaked through social platforms due to cyber threats. While you can govern what you post online, cyber threats might not be so kind in keeping your information secure.

Today’s social media users need advanced Internet security systems. We’re interacting with the Web more than ever, and many are doing it without adequate security. By utilizing a top-of-the-line security system, you can know your information is safe when sharing.

Look for a security solution that protects you on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and other social media platforms you interact with daily. These types of Internet security can keep you safe from what others are sharing, too. A link from a friend can be a great way for scammers to trick you into clicking.

Still not sure what to share online? Ask a friend. Or just ask yourself if you’d be OK sharing with your mom or boss… because you might be doing just that.

Photo Credit/Source: Wikimedia

About the Author

Noah Gamer is a driven business leader with experience in Internet marketing, Web software development and eCommerce. Currently, he develops security solutions for Trend Micro.