A Quiz from Kaspersky Lab has found that almost a third (30 per cent) of social network users share their posts, check-ins and other personal information, not just with their friends, but with everybody who is online. This is leaving the door wide open for cyber-criminals to attack, as users remain unaware of just how public their private information can be on these channels.
Despite over three quarters (78 per cent) of Internet users having a social media account, the quiz showed a distinct lack of awareness amongst social media users. One in ten (9 per cent) quiz respondents didn’t think people outside of their friends list could be seeing their pages and posts, making it easy for their personal information to fall into the wrong hands, or even be used by criminals for identity theft and financial fraud.
The research found that users are putting themselves in danger when adding friends, with a surprising 12 per cent admitting adding anyone to their list – regardless of whether they know them or not. A third (31 per cent) of users will also accept connections from people they don’t know, if they have mutual friends in common, although this could expose them to more unknown people – even advertisement agents or cyber-criminals. When it comes to trusting their “friends”, a quarter (26 per cent) of those surveyed would have no hesitation to click on a link sent by a friend without asking what it is, or considering the possibility that the sender’s account has been hacked.
“Social network users are playing a dangerous game by not being cyber-savvy and essentially giving strangers easy access to their personal details and private information. With social media profiles containing a raft of insight – from birthdays through to addresses and holiday plans – it wouldn’t take much digging for a cyber-criminal to find and exploit valuable information, or steal your identity for their own gain. This is even easier if you have unwittingly made them your friend,” comments David Emm, principal security researcher at Kaspersky Lab.
To ensure your social network sharing doesn’t leave you exposed to danger, Kaspersky Lab advises Internet users to be cautious about whom they befriend and trust on these sites, as all might not be as it seems. If in doubt, don’t accept a friend request or click on a link that you are not expecting. It is also essential that privacy settings within social network accounts are at their highest, to ensure it is only your real friends you are sharing your status updates with.
Along with vigilance, security software makes it possible to protect your digital life against Internet threats and safeguard your privacy and identity. For more information about how Kaspersky Lab’s home security products can keep you safe online, visit HERE.
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