The dangers of using social media

Social media is a fact of life for us all and a way of life for many.

It is addictive and pervasive with a popularity evidenced by its phenomenal growth. It has redefined communication and networking. In many ways it is a powerful tool for good, motivation, awareness, humour, personal and social identity.

Darker Side
However, it holds a much darker side and can represent an insidious threat to security targets, and make no mistake, we are all security targets!

The most common attitude is this -;

"I have nothing to hide so why should I be concerned by the government, credit agencies, supermarkets etc gathering information about my life?"

However, If you are thinking about announcing your holiday plans, or posting photos of your trip, think twice.

Insurance companies are now using social media as a tool to investigate burglary claims - the Financial Ombudsman is warning that anyone who does not keep their details private is particularly at risk of having their claims denied.

Don't forget about your friends
Like all of the most dangerous threats, this one comes from an unexpected and benign source, that of your friends and acquaintances.

It can be easy for a disciplined person to avoid posting personal information but consider aggregated data posted by your friends. Just because you choose to say nothing about yourself, your friends may say 'Happy 40th Birthday' or 'Have a great holiday'.

Security Drivers suggest that the greatest threat to you and your security may not be on the streets, but amongst your friends and in your pocket. An uncomfortable reality.

In Part 2 of this series, we look at some methods to reduce the risk of negative consequences when using social media.