Whether you prefer posting on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat, people are watching your content, including potentially unfriendly eyes. With social media updates about our lives so common, it’s no surprise that up to 78% of burglars report trolling social media for possible theft opportunities.
So before you click that post button, make sure your loose pics won’t sink any ships: Here’s how social media content can risk your home and what to do instead.
Read more: Best Ways to Keep Your Home Address Off the Web
Sharing travel plans ahead of time leaves a house vulnerable
Travel is exciting and the perfect opportunity to post your influencer-level photos in exotic new locations, but that comes with a hidden risk. Showing everyone that you plan to be away from home (or are currently on a trip) could give burglars or other opportunists the green light to take advantage of an empty house. You’d be surprised how many people have returned from a vacation to find an unwelcome guest.
Preparing your home security for a trip can help with this, but it’s best to avoid the risk by waiting to post your vacation photos. Take a tip from the pros and schedule your in-the-moment vacation pics for later when you’re home. Everyone gets to enjoy photos from your vacation but at a slightly later date.
Important note: The same is true if you’re moving to a new address. Wait until the move is complete before you post.
Pay attention to the details you are sharing online to stay safe.
Tagging real-time locations shows exactly where you are (and aren’t)
Geotagged photos or automatic location tagging shows where you are in real time as you post. It can be fun to show friends you arrived at a venue or checked into a favorite restaurant, but that also shows everyone else you aren’t home right now. The same is true about posting a pic with geotags, even if you’re just out and about the town.
This precise location data can give mischief-makers and thieves a tip that you aren’t at home and your house may be open for trouble.
Never post content that makes it easy to tell when you aren’t at home.
Talking about your routine can tell burglars when to show up
Social media is packed with people listing out their daily routines and habits, but if you want to follow suit be careful just how much you share. Don’t reveal the times of day you head to work or to the gym, for example.
You don’t want anyone to have a record of when your home or room will be unoccupied. Thieves are already using security cameras to spy on homeowner routines; don’t make things easier for them.
Posting a big new purchase could draw unwanted eyes
Another common mistake social media users make is posting a pricey new item they recently obtained. Sure, it’s exciting to show off and share big buys like a new TV, a new PC setup, a collection of expensive miniatures, fancy new tools or new jewelry, but that’s exactly what burglars watch for online.
Stay safe and keep those special purchases just between you and your IRL friends to cut down on the chances they get stolen.
Read more: The 7 Most Common Home Security Mistakes to Stop Making
Photos don’t just give away your location, they also show people what you own.
If you’re not doing it, your kids could be
Finally, keep in mind even if you’re extra careful on social media, your kids (or your partner) may be less cautious. Younger social media users in particular may not recognize the dangers of posting all kinds of personal details, especially when a several-second video can get them a burst of recognition on TikTok.
So make sure your family also understands these risks and knows that there are certain things they shouldn’t post online — at least, not right away.
Does this stuff matter if your social posts aren’t public?
Keeping your social media restricted only to friends can help keep your posts safer, but it’s not a cure-all for these risks. First, it’s hard to tell who is currently following you and who has access to their social feed, especially if you have a lot of followers.
Second, as mentioned above, other family members may not be as cautious and could reveal details to people outside their circles. Third, some enterprising burglars may even spam fake account requests to access a huge amount of social profiles at once and glean whatever information they can.
For more information on how to keep your home safe, you should stop by our tips on stress-free living alone, our broad home security cheat sheet and tips to prevent all kinds of break-ins.
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