Nowadays, we share everything online. From birthdays to weekend vacations, career updates to lunching of a new business, nothing is too small to mention. While social media has grown into a dynamic area for interaction, branding, and business, it has also become a target for cyber criminals. In an age when fraud is evolving faster than regulations, the way we use social media is unwittingly putting us in danger. Not because the platforms themselves are dangerous, but because we disclose too much without realizing who is watching.
A lot of cyber breaches do not begin with hacking, they start by scrolling through our social media accounts for information. Criminals no longer have to break into systems to steal from you, they simply explore your profile. Your posts reveal when you’re travelling, where you work, your entire name, birthday, interests, and even which bank you use. With a few clicks, they can create a complete digital image of you, enough to answer your bank’s security questions, impersonate you online, or deceive someone on your contact list.
Many online fraudsters are patient. They follow silently, observing patterns, they take note when you post from the office, tag your relatives, or rejoice getting a new job. Then they wait for the appropriate opportunity for attack. Cloning is an often-used tactic whereby someone establishes a false social media account with your name, profile photo, and posts. Then they begin messaging to your friends, pleading for immediate assistance, or offering fraudulent business opportunities.
Other times, the scam is subtle. You respond to what appears to be a real job posting or loan offer. The account boasts thousands of followers, professional branding, and consistent activity. They say you’ve been nominated, but there is a processing fee. Alternatively, they request your BVN or banking information for salary or payment setup, with that, your personal information is gone.
Social media has made criminality more personal. In Nigeria, where unemployment is prevalent and the online hustle culture is thriving, scammers have quickly adapted to digital venues. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and even TikTok are being used not only to deceive other people, but also to investigate and manipulate existing connections.
One dangerous trend is real-time location posting. You’re at the airport, you tag your location. You check in at a hotel, you post the view. It seems harmless even fun. But to someone with bad intentions, it’s a signal that your co-workers might be susceptible to vishing attack which is a form of social engineering. Your device might be accessible, your two-factor authentication could be vulnerable. Even posts pertaining to your job may unintentionally reveal confidential details about your work place. You publish a selfie in front of your new office building or tell your followers, which corporation you are staring a new job with. Moments of pride, of course. However, such knowledge can be weaponized if it falls into the wrong hands. A fraudster can now create convincing phishing messages, pretend to be you, or even try social engineering attacks on your company since they know where you work, what your role is, and they can predict your professional email.
The goal is not to quit celebrating milestones. It’s about sharing more mindfully. Privacy is more than just changing settings, it is also about awareness. Before posting, ask yourself if this reveals too much. Could it be used to impersonate me or target someone I know? Who is actually watching? Make your accounts private if they are not required to be public. Avoid sharing sensitive documents, such as ID cards or name tags even if the sensitive info is blurred. Don’t post your location updates or major milestones, even if you are certain about the security measures in place.
Also, many cybercrimes are successful because consumers trust the source. Inform your followers or family and friends that if they receive any strange messages from you requesting money, urgent links, or unusual behavior, they should verify through a call. In today’s digital environment, social media is a way of life, but so is cybercrime. Just as we lock our gates at night, we must begin to secure our online lives with wisdom rather than fear. As Nigerians, we are easy targets not because we are irresponsible, but because we love to share, connect, and showcase our success. Now, we must train ourselves to pause, and ask questions on how much details am I sharing before hitting the post or share button on our social media accounts. Because, in the end, one single post could be all the clue a cybercriminal needs.
. Adesola, Security+ Cybersecurity Analyst
Email: [email protected]
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