When you post things online, you can’t assume that nothing will ever come of it. Thinking that nothing bad will happen when you share personal details is risky. Hackers are more clever than ever and have ways to use your posts against you. This means any information you put online could be stolen or used in ways you didn’t intend. 

When you don’t take security of your personal data seriously, you risk your bank account being accessed as well as your identity being stolen. It’s important to be careful with your online information, but many people make mistakes that put themselves at risk. In this article, we will go over some common mistakes to avoid. 

1 – Oversharing online

You make yourself an easy target for hackers and scammers when you overshare too many details online. 

Every piece of data you share online, whether it’s on social media or even just browsing the web, reveals details about your life. Data brokers collect this information and then use it without your knowledge. 

If you feel like there is too much information about you floating around the internet, you need to take steps to remove it. You can reach out to these brokers yourself or use a service like DeleteMe. DeleteMe works to remove your information from data brokers’ lists. 

After you feel like you are adequately absent from online data brokers’ lists, you should adjust your privacy settings across all online platforms so only trusted people can access what you share.

You can also use a digital footprint tracker, which helps protect your online presence by monitoring and managing the information available about you on the internet. It can alert you to any potentially harmful or unwanted content, enabling you to take action to remove or address it. By keeping track of your digital activities and the data associated with them, you can ensure that your online reputation remains positive and that sensitive information is not exposed to potential threats. This proactive approach helps maintain privacy, security, and a professional image online.

2 – Falling for phishing scams

Phishing scams are tricks used by scammers to get your personal information like passwords, bank details, or social security numbers. They send emails or messages that look like they are from a real company, bank, or a friend needing help. The idea is for you to trust that the message is legitimate and give up sensitive information that a hacker can use to access your accounts. 

To protect yourself from phishing, you need to be careful with unexpected messages. Always check who sent the message. Look for any strange details in the email address, links, or even small spelling mistakes. 

If you feel like you can’t tell if the message is legitimate or a scam, then call the sender and ask them directly. They will tell you that you should never give any information and they will never ask for it. 

3 – Not using secure connections

When you are outside of your house accessing the internet, you have to be very careful about how you connect. A big mistake is to use connections that are not secure so when you use the internet, you are broadcasting to anybody who cares to pay attention to your data. This could include anything from your emails to your credit card details.

One way to make sure that your connection is secure is by using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it hard for anyone else to see what you’re doing online, even on public Wi-Fi.