‘Beware of digital criminals when sharing details’
Dubbed “Insta-grabbers”, the research by insurance firm Legal & General warns of digital criminals who surf photos posted on social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and then build a picture of social media users who over-share their private details.
The study reveals that this Christmas — when criminal activity reaches its peak — young social media users will post risky photos and information online.
More than half will post information about when they are out of their house this Christmas, while one third will give details of expensive seasonal purchases to complete strangers.
This combination of information leaves them vulnerable, as digital criminals are able to piece together where a person lives, what they own, and when they are out of their home, making them easy targets.
“Over-sharers” and “Insta-braggers” are the social media users who may be most vulnerable.
About 84% of 18 to 35-year-olds share photos and personal details on social networks, and 37% say they have no privacy settings in place.
Mike Fraser, reformed burglar, security expert, and star of BBC’s Beat the Burglar, said: “When people post their whereabouts or photos of their possessions online they are doing it to have fun and to share their life with their friends, but they rarely think about the possible implications.
“Legal & General’s research shows that there are young people out there who still don’t realise these posts can make them a much more likely target to digital criminals.
“Christmas is a busy period for burglars who know that many homes will be full of the latest gadgets and must-have gifts. Digital criminals will be looking to exploit lax privacy settings to discover when people are out of their home, perhaps at a Christmas party, or to find out what new purchases people have that are worth stealing.
“Social media networks are a great way to stay in touch, but social media users need to take the time to think about what they are actually doing and who besides their real friends, might also be picking up that information.”
- Over-sharers: Among the 18% of youngusers who post several times a day, and include personal details such as location or even where they live.
- Insta-braggers: Show-offs who use photos and hashtags to reach a wider audience. More than two thirds share information with strangers, while 24% share photos of new purchases on Instagram.
- Selfies-obsessed: Nearly one in five (18%) post at least once per day and 41% use Instagram to improve the quality of their photos. Descriptions often include their real name.
- Rookie Snappers: These are the 23% of social media users that are on Instagram. Rookie Snappers regularly put on Instagram snaps of landmarks of places while travelling.
- Foodie Fans: 41% use Instagram to make their food photos look better and 19% check in to locations and restaurants so everybody knows where they are dining and when.
The next version of the USB connector will accept the plug either way up, according to a group of international firms.
It follows a lead set by Apple with the lightning connector for the iPhone 5 and newer iPads and iPods.
The USB Type-C plug and socket will also work with emerging products, said the USB Promotor Group, whose members include Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Microsoft.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
