Oversharing online? 5 ways it makes you an easy target for cybercriminals

Have you ever posted something personal or sensitive on social media and regretted it later? Many of us have fallen into that trap. Whether you use Facebook, Instagram, X (aka Twitter), Snapchat, Threads, Bluesky, or even LinkedIn, sometimes you post before you think and eventually realize you overshared. Sure, you can delete your post. But by then, hundreds or thousands of people may have already seen it.

Oversharing on social media can not only be embarrassing but can also hurt you in several ways. You could put your privacy at risk, damage your personal or professional reputation, or present a target to scammers who may use the information you shared to steal your identity.

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With all of that in mind, Christoph C. Cemper, founder of AI prompt generator AIPRM, offered his thoughts on the key risks of oversharing and how to avoid this temptation.

The risks of oversharing online

Identity theft

Social media often provides a treasure trove of information for scammers. Your account pages and posts can reveal not just your name but your date of birth, home address, places where you’ve worked, and even tidbits on your friends and contacts.

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Cybercriminals who access your personal details can impersonate you with the intent of stealing your identity. By doing so, they could tap into your financial accounts and create new ones in your name. Pretending to be you, they could even convince your friends to share personal information.

“The host of readily available personal information on social media has made it even easier for criminals to carry out identity theft, and with the rise of AI’s capabilities, this is even quicker to do,” Cemper said. “That’s why it’s crucial to think carefully about what you share online — not just to protect your own privacy, but also the security of your family and friends, who could be targeted by a fake version of you.”

Social engineering and financial scams

Scammers often use social engineering to lay traps for people on social media. One way they can ensnare you is by impersonating your online friends and contacts, thereby tricking you into sharing sensitive information. Once they’ve captured your trust, they can steal your money or personal data.

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“It is vital to be wary of who you follow and interact with on social media,” said Cemper. “With deepfakes and AI becoming more prevalent and advanced, it is hard to tell if you are talking to a legitimate person or an attacker. Always be cautious when engaging with people on social media, and if they claim to be someone you know, be sure to ask them personal questions that only they would know the answer to.”

Deepfakes and voice cloning

With the right AI tools and technologies, a scammer can cook up a fake photo or video, or clone a person’s voice. The goal is to generate a social media profile that seems legitimate but is designed to con people.

“Deepfakes are becoming widespread, and with our voices and images often available on social media, millions are at risk of becoming victims,” Cemper said. “To protect yourself, make sure that those you follow on social media and allow to view your content are people you know and trust. Having a publicly open profile increases your risk of being targeted. If you think you have been a victim of a deepfake, contact your local fraud center as soon as possible to report it.”

Damage to your reputation

Saying the wrong things on social media can hurt your personal or professional reputation. This applies not only to sensitive details about your own life and career but to any improper posts, negative comments, or fake news that you share.

“Malicious actors can spread misinformation and disinformation, which is notoriously hard to spot online,” said Cemper. “Many people have fallen into the trap of engaging with this content, whether it be an AI-generated image or a fake article. Always fact-check any news or sources you see on social media via trusted and reputable sites, as unverified online information could be fake, and may even include fraudulent links.”

Oversharing information about your children

In a practice known as “sharenting,” some parents will share details about their own children through social media. This can be dangerous as criminals can use the information to target your kids. Geotagging photos of your children can reveal where they live. Sharing names, ages, and photos can open them up to cyberbullying, harassment, and identity theft.

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“Cybercrime is rising rapidly, and exposing your child’s details online could see them fall victim to fraud or other crimes,” said Cemper. “If you want to share images or details on your child’s activities, it is always best to do this in private group chats with people you trust. I would always advise avoiding sharing this information on social media, due to the risks involved. If you do share information about your child via social media, ensure this is to a small, trustworthy following and is not publicly available. Be sure to limit the information that you share about them and their whereabouts.”

How to avoid oversharing online 

1. Review your privacy settings

Periodically review the privacy settings on Facebook and other social media you use. Control the reach of your posts and personal information to make sure only trusted friends can see them.

2. Think before you share

Be careful before you post any personal information, especially details that may provide answers to your account security questions or reveal your specific location or the locations of family and friends. Limiting what you share helps protect you from identity theft and other threats.

3. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication

To safeguard your own social media accounts, make sure you use strong and secure passwords backed up by multi-factor authentication. Never share your passwords or other sensitive account details, and avoid passwords with personal information like names or birthdays.

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4. Be careful when clicking on links

Don’t click on any suspicious links you see on social media, as these can be traps set by scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. One way you can learn more about where a link really goes is to hover over it with your cursor. Your browser should show you a URL preview. Carefully examine the URL for clues about its legitimacy. When in doubt, don’t click. Also, limit the people who can contact you on social media, and be cautious about any messages you receive.

5. Review your account for suspicious activity

Regularly check out your social media accounts for suspicious activity. If a friend’s invitation, message, or post seems shady, report it to the company and avoid interacting with it. Call or text your friend through another messaging service to verify directly with them.