Risks Of Oversharing
In this section, we’ll explore the risks of oversharing personal information online and explain why it’s so important to be mindful of what you share. With more people using social media, online shopping, and messaging apps, it’s easy to accidentally share too much. Posting personal details like your full name, address, phone number, or even your holiday plans might seem harmless, but it can put you at risk. Scammers and cybercriminals look for this information to target people for identity theft, fraud, and scams.
We’ll guide you through the common mistakes people make when sharing online and help you understand how even small bits of information can be pieced together by criminals. You’ll learn practical steps to protect your privacy, like adjusting your privacy settings, avoiding sharing sensitive information, and thinking carefully before posting.
By the end of this page, you’ll feel confident in knowing what’s safe to share and what to keep private, helping you avoid unnecessary risks and stay safe online.
Risks Of Oversharing
Identity Theft - Sharing personal information like your full name, address, and date of birth can make it easier for scammers to steal your identity and open accounts in your name.
Scams and Phishing - By revealing too much about your life (such as your travel plans or job details), you can become a target for scams. Hackers can use this information to send you more convincing phishing emails or phone calls.
Loss of Privacy - Oversharing can expose you to unwanted attention from strangers or even cyberstalkers. Once your personal information is online, it's hard to control who sees it.
Targeted Ads and Marketing - By oversharing your interests, likes, or online behaviour, you might unknowingly invite excessive advertising, making you a target for targeted ads and marketing campaigns.
How to Protect Yourself from Oversharing
Think Before You Post - Always ask yourself if the information you're sharing is necessary, and consider the potential consequences of posting personal details online.
Adjust Privacy Settings - Use the privacy settings on social media platforms to control who can see your posts. Make sure only trusted people have access to your personal information.
Limit Personal Information - Avoid sharing sensitive information, like your home address, full date of birth, or financial details online, unless absolutely necessary.
Be Careful with Public Wi-Fi - When sharing anything online, especially over public Wi-Fi, make sure your connection is secure to protect your privacy.
What to Do if You Think You've Overshared
Remove or Edit Posts - If you realize you’ve shared too - much personal information, go back and either delete or edit any posts that contain sensitive details. It’s better to remove it sooner than later, as once it’s online, it can be hard to completely erase.
Monitor Accounts - Keep a close eye on your bank, email, and social media accounts for any unusual activity. If you’ve shared sensitive information, like passwords or financial details, be extra vigilant for signs of fraud.
Alert Others - If you’ve shared details that could impact others—like family members or coworkers—let them know so they can take steps to protect themselves, too. This helps prevent others from becoming targets of scams or identity theft.
Update Privacy Settings - Review and update your privacy settings on social media and other platforms to limit who can see your posts. Tightening your privacy settings will give you more control over your personal information.