Risks of Sharing Personal Information Online and Ways to Protect It

We know that you, like any other person, like to share stuff on the internet. Went on vacation? Post images of your family and tag the resort. Got promotion? Why not tag the company in the post on LinkedIn? Found a fun quiz on Facebook? Of course, it’d be fun to take it. But what if we tell you those are the things that help criminals to get as close to you as possible?

The risks of sharing personal information are more serious than most people think. In 2024 alone, people filed over 1.1 million identity theft reports in the United States, which caused $12.5 billion in fraud losses. Many crimes started with information people shared online.

This is why it is so important, before you share anything online, especially on the platforms you wouldn’t trust if you knew how much info they store, to check if they are safe. There are several tools that can help with this process – TrustRacer, VirusTotal, URLVoid, or browser security extensions like uBlock Origin. They can provide insights into a website’s reputation and potential risks, though no tool can guarantee complete safety. We suggest using such resources as part of your overall security approach.

Now let’s move to the article to see what info you overshare, why it is so bad, and how to protect personal information online in practice and not just on paper.

What Counts as Personal Information (and Why It Matters)

Personal information is often more than just things like name or address. In fact, it is any type of data that can identify you in any way or help someone steal your identity. Such information includes your Social Security number and credit card information. But it is also not all. Here are some other types of information that are considered personal and better not to be shared freely.

• Identity details such as name, date of birth, Social Security number, passport details, and driver’s license number.
• Contact information like home address, phone number, email address, and IP address.
• Financial data (bank account numbers, credit card details, PIN codes, and information about your income or assets).
• Digital behavior. Here we have web history, shopping habits, social media activity, and location data.

The Most Common Places People Overshare

Now, let’s move to where you actually overshare your personal info. You probably already know some places, right? Social media, shopping sites, etc. But it’s not only that. Research shows that Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok collect huge amounts of personal data about users and keep it with little protection. So, what exactly are the other places that store your info without you even knowing it? Let’s find out.

• Social media platforms. Did you post the location of that restaurant you visited yesterday? Or maybe shared your vacation plans on Facebook? Well, those are just a little list of details, criminals can use against you.
• Online shopping sites. Studies found that 30% of popular shopping websites leak personal information to third parties, especially when it comes to Facebook.
• Mobile apps. Many apps ask for permissions they don’t need. Does your new flashlight app really need to know your location? Why? Most people don’t really care to ask themselves that question, and it’s unfortunate.
• Public Wi-Fi networks. 25% of Americans had private information stolen through public Wi-Fi in cafes or restaurants. Criminals can easily set up fake networks such as “Free Airport WiFi” to steal passwords and credit card numbers.

Real Risks of Sharing Personal Information Online

Unfortunately, with oversharing, there are also real consequences. Even now, when you read this article, there are people in the world who are currently going through issues connected to digital fraud. It happens to millions of people, and you can’t be sure you won’t be the next one. Here’s what you are putting at risk when you share too much information online:

5 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online

Let us ease your worries. To know how to safeguard yourself online, you don’t need to have actual technical skills. Here we have collected a list of five simple actions that will help you improve your personal safety starting right now.

Lock Down Your Social Media Privacy Settings Right Away

If you want to cut access to your profile for criminals, simply make it private. Your friends will still be able to see updates from you; it is just those who might have malicious intent won’t. On Facebook, change “Who can see your future posts” to “Friends” only. On Instagram, switch to a Private Account. Make sure you also remove all location tags from old posts.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords With a Password Manager

We know that it might be a pain to remember all those difficult passwords, but it’s one of the main reasons your account hasn’t been hacked yet. Just a tip: you can use a password manager such as Bitwarden (free) or NordPass (paid) to create and store complex passwords for every account. This way, you only need to remember one password to have all other passwords safe.

Turn On Two-Factor Authentication on Every Important Account

Two-factor authentication (2FA) blocks 99.9% of automated attacks. Set it up on your email, banking, and social media accounts. How does it work? When you log in, you need both your password and a code from an app on your phone. Such apps can be either Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator (both are free).

Check Your App Permissions and Delete What You Don’t Need

Don’t forget to check what apps need what permits. Why does your calculator need a camera? Or does a flashlight app require your location? Weird and potentially unsafe. For more tips to protect your privacy, such as managing app permissions and managing your privacy, explore additional trusted resources that keep your information safe.

Use a VPN on Public Networks

Never check your bank account or shop online using public Wi-Fi unless you also use a VPN. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic so criminals can’t intercept it. Additionally, develop a habit of limiting the amount of personal information that you share online. Before you post anything, ask yourself: “Could a stranger use this information against me?” Yes, it’s a simple question, but it helps to prevent most overshare problems.

Data That Should Never Be Shared Online (Even in “Private” Posts)

Some information is so sensitive that you should never post it anywhere online, no matter how secretive you are. Unfortunately, private accounts can be hacked, and “friends” aren’t always trustworthy. Understanding what data that should be kept offline is important for your security. So, what to do?

First, never and I repeat, never, share your Social Security number, driver’s license, passport details, or government ID numbers. Don’t post photos of credit cards or bank statements. Keep your full birth date private. You can share that it’s your birthday without the year. Also, keep private your mother’s maiden name, childhood street, or first pet’s name private, since these are common security questions.

Also, don’t share travel plans until after you return home. Just remember, when someone sees you’re on vacation, it also means your house is probably empty, which for criminals is a green light for action. Finally, avoid sharing work information, financial details about income, medical diagnoses, or legal problems.

How to Share Safely When You Can’t Avoid It

One of the ways you cant avoid sharing information is when you apply for jobs. You need to share a lot: your phone number, email, name, work experience, etc. So, what to do in such cases? When you cannot avoid sharing, you can still reduce your risk with smart strategies. Here’s how to act:

• Check if the website is real. Look for HTTPS in the URL (the padlock icon) and trust badges from security companies. Use tools to check if the site has a history of scams.
• Create separate email addresses. People often create several emails for different purposes: work, personal life, subscription box, etc. Free services such as ProtonMail or Gmail make this easy.
• Read key sections of privacy policies. Look for how they use your data and whether they sell it to third parties. We know it’s a time-wasting task, but better to be safe than sorry.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, are you ready to protect your privacy online? Guess what? You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert. Start simple. Today, check your social media privacy settings and make them private. This week, download a password manager and turn on two-factor authentication for your email and banking. Do you use public Wi-Fi often? Get a VPN.

Make monthly habits: delete apps you don’t use and check app permissions. Every three months, review your social media settings because platforms change them. Small changes create big improvements in your personal information security. So start today, not tomorrow.