In 2024 we rely heavily on our phones, laptops and all manners of other types of technology.

Connecting to the internet, for that matter, is also important for work, socialising and keeping up to date with general goings on.

Although the internet can be a force for good, you don't need us to tell you how dangerous it can also be.

Scammers are relentless online and will look to take advantage of any opportunity to rip you off in some way. 

So with that in mind, here are some suggestions for keeping safe online.

10 things you should never post online:

James Milin-Ashmore at Independent Advisor VPN said: “With 97.8% of the UK using the internet and 84.4% using social media, the digital world has become a hotspot for criminals to obtain personal information.

"Your online presence can make you vulnerable to identity theft, hacking and other security threats, meaning you should always be mindful and deliberate when you are posting and sharing information online.”

Your phone number

Cybercriminals can use your phone number to gather additional details about you potentially leading to identity theft and unauthorised access to your online accounts.

Posting your phone number also increases the risk of being targeted by phishing attacks, where scammers send you disingenuous messages or calls that try to trick you into providing sensitive information.

Your location

Sharing where you live or are currently staying not only puts you at risk of theft and stalking but also malicious online activity and identity theft. If a cybercriminal knows where you live, they can personalise their phishing attempts, making them much more convincing.

In terms of identity theft, if scammers have your address they will be able to build a more detailed profile about you posing a real danger to your personal information.

Even if you don’t share or post your address online, scammers may be able to breach your IP address. While your IP address won’t reveal your exact location, it does show the city or region where the device is located.

Using a VPN will protect your IP address while you are online by rerouting your data through the VPN service which has its own IP address, acting as a barrier between you and online criminals.

James says: “A VPN helps you maintain some level of internet privacy by masking your IP address. VPNs greatly improve your online security and should be used any time you post online or use the internet.”

Holiday Plans

Posting when you are going on holiday online makes you more vulnerable to burglaries as thieves will know your property is not occupied.

Refrain from posting any photos or updates of your holiday until after your trip and back in your home.

Passwords

Passwords are one of the most important parts of internet safety as they protect your personal and sensitive information across a range of online platforms.

Legitimate organisations and companies won’t ask for your passwords through social media or public channels, so never share this information if it is requested. 

Financial/employment information

Sharing financial information, such as credit card numbers or bank account details, online makes it easier for fraudsters to impersonate you or gain unauthorised access to your accounts.

To prevent your finances from being manipulated or stolen, always keep your financial information to yourself and never share it on the internet.

Similar to financial information, posting about your employment history provides online criminals with more information about you.

Cybercriminals are always looking for more personalised information like job titles and salaries so their social engineering schemes are more effective and convincing.

Identification documents

You should never post your identification documents online whether it’s your passport, birth certificate or driving licence.

This will majorly impact your online safety, with the potential for scammers to use the details to apply for credit cards, open bank accounts, or try and commit other types of identity theft.

Names of loved ones and pets

With 43% of people using the names of their loved ones or pets in their passwords, online hackers often search for this information in the hopes of breaching your online accounts.

Similarly, the names of people around you are often the answers to password security/recovery questions, i.e. the name of your first pet. Refrain from sharing these details online, or choose password questions and passwords which do not include this information.

Recommended reading:

Scam warning to Facebook, TikTok, Instagram & Twitter users

Action Fraud warn people over fake scam Temu emails

HMRC customers warned over tax refund scams

Medical information

Medical information is sensitive and personal meaning it should be kept private where possible. If a cybercriminal is aware of the hospital you are receiving treatment at, they may attempt to breach your patient data which can include your name, address, birthdate and NHS number. When used all together this data can make for a very convincing identity theft attempt.

Tickets

You should always refrain from posting pictures or details of tickets, such as concerts, events or travel tickets, online. Online scammers can use this information to improve their social engineering scam techniques by impersonality representatives of the company you bought your ticket from to trick you into sharing more personal data with them.

Your child’s school

Sharing information about your child's school poses significant risks both to your child and yourself. This information may be useful for online predators, but also gives fraudsters identifiable details that they could use to steal your identity.