Expert's stark warning to travellers who share airport pictures on social media
When it comes to a long-awaited trip the first thing many do is turn their out-of-office on, and upload a string of photos of them with their suitcase in tow, passport in hand, and plush travel pillow hugging their neck on social media, followed by shots of the airplane out the window and views from the sky.
But one expert has revealed these are the worst things travellers could do as they can put you at risk while you are away as it makes you vulnerable to criminals.
Trevor Cooke, the online privacy expert at EarthWeb, warned against posting images of airport photos, online check-ins, as well as your boarding pass, and any information pre-vacation. He shared: "Posting airport photos or check-ins online will alert others to the fact that you’re not at home, and make your property a potential target for burglars. You’ll also pinpoint your location, which can be a safety concern.
"Never share photos of your boarding pass, as they feature a barcode that can reveal more details about your travel plans and private data. Criminals can use this to discover your flight, seat number, and contact details. They can then steal your phone number, driver's license information, and passport specifics to commit identity fraud."
When you have landed some may give their social media followers a tour of their accommodation, in particular their room, but this is also a big no-no. Trevor explained: "If you’re staying in a luxurious hotel room, it can be tempting to show it off on social media. However, doing this could reveal your exact location and the duration of your stay, which could leave you vulnerable to stalking or targeted theft.
Brit uses browser hack to bag business class seat for less than price of economy
"You should also never post your room number online, as criminals and other guests could seek to charge things to your room." While you may wish to keep your friends and family up to date with your whereabouts, tagging your location, as well as your daily itinerary could be detrimental.
Speaking about geo-tagging, Trevor warned: "These are an easy giveaway to your current whereabouts. They once again make your home an easy target for thieves by confirming you’re not at home, and potentially put your safety at risk by broadcasting your exact location."
While sharing your activities during your vacation "means people know where you’ll be at specific times, which can be a serious security risk, potentially making you a target for theft, stalking, and even kidnapping." Trevor recommends not sharing specific details about your trip and travel plans, but if you do do not post in real time, and keep your personal settings to private.
He stressed: "Remember that if your social media posts are set to ‘public’ rather than ‘private’, anyone can view them, which means criminals could see them too. “It's advisable to wait until you're safely back home to share your holiday memories. This protects your privacy and safety, ensuring your holiday remains a positive experience. If you follow these tips and hold off on posting your vacation pics until you’re safely back home, you won’t need to fear data or identify theft, burglary, or the loss of your belongings.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
