According to projections from Statista, the FBI, and the IMF, the global cost of cybercrime is anticipated to experience a substantial increase. By 2027, it is estimated to surge to $23.84 trillion, marking a significant rise from the $8.44 trillion reported in 2022.
Security expert James Milin-Ashmore, from Independent Advisor VPN, has provided a comprehensive list of 10 crucial guidelines aimed at enhancing digital safety by avoiding sharing sensitive information online.
These guidelines serve as proactive measures to combat the rising threat of cybercrime and safeguard personal and confidential data from potential exploitation.
1. Avoid Sharing Your Phone Number on Random Sites
Sharing your phone number online can expose you to a range of security risks, warns an expert. Cybercriminals could exploit this information to gather personal details, increasing the likelihood of identity theft and other malicious scams:
- Subscriber Fraud: Scammers set up fake cell phone accounts with stolen info.
- Smishing: Fraudsters send text messages to trick victims into revealing data or visiting harmful sites.
- Fake Call Frauds: Scammers pose as legitimate entities to extract sensitive information.
- Identity Theft: Phone numbers are exploited to commit financial fraud and impersonate individuals.
2. Do Not Update Your Current Location
It is not new or unknown that people share their current locations on social media handles however, experts caution against sharing personal addresses or current locations online, citing heightened risks of theft, stalking, and malicious online activity.
Such information can be exploited to tailor phishing attempts, rendering them more convincing and increasing the likelihood of falling victim to scams.
3. Do Not Post Your Holiday Plans
As the holiday season approaches, many individuals may feel inclined to share their vacation plans on social media platforms. However, security experts are warning against this seemingly innocent practice, pointing out the potential risks associated with broadcasting one's absence from home.
Announcing your vacation on social media not only informs friends and family of your whereabouts but also alerts criminals that your residence will be unoccupied. This information could make your home a target for burglary or other criminal activities.
4. Do Not Take Risks of Sharing Password Online
Passwords serve as the primary defense mechanism for safeguarding online accounts, making them crucial components of digital security. However, security expert emphasizes the importance of protecting passwords and refraining from sharing them online under any circumstances.
Sharing passwords, regardless of the requester's identity, poses a significant risk to online security.
Unauthorized access to sensitive accounts can lead to various forms of cybercrime, including identity theft, financial fraud, and data breaches.
5. Protect Your Financial and Employment Information
Experts caution against sharing sensitive financial or employment details online, highlighting the potential risks associated with divulging such information.
Financial details, including credit card numbers and bank account details, are highly sought after by online fraudsters. Similarly, sharing employment information can inadvertently provide criminals with valuable data for social engineering scams.
6. Protect Your ID Documentation
Expert urges individuals to refrain from posting images of essential identification documents such as passports, birth certificates, or driver's licenses online. These documents contain sensitive information that could be exploited by identity thieves for various criminal activities, including opening unauthorized bank accounts or applying for credit cards.
7. Stop Sharing Names of Your Loved Ones/Family/Pets
Security experts advise against sharing personal details such as the names of loved ones or pets online. Hackers frequently attempt to exploit these details when guessing passwords or answering security questions.
8. Protect Your Medical Privacy
Your medical history is a confidential matter and should be treated as such, caution experts. Sharing details about the hospitals or medical facilities you visit can inadvertently lead to a data breach, exposing personal information such as your name and address.
9. Protect Your Child's Privacy
Expert warns against sharing information about your child's school online, as it can potentially put them at risk from online predators and expose them to identity theft.
10. Protect Your Ticket Information
Expert advises against sharing pictures or details of tickets for concerts, events, or travel online. Scammers can exploit this information to impersonate legitimate representatives and deceive you into disclosing additional personal data.
Furthermore, in 2023, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported a staggering surge in complaints from the American public. A total of 880,418 complaints were filed, marking a significant uptick of nearly 10% compared to the previous year.
These complaints reflected potential losses exceeding $12.5 billion, representing a substantial increase of 22% in losses suffered compared to 2022.
Also, according to the Forbes Advisors, Ransomware, Misconfigurations and Unpatched Systems, Credential Stuffing, and Social Engineering will be the most common threats in 2024.
