Is Your Favorite App Secretly Selling Your Data? 7 Shocking Facts You Must Know NOW!

By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

Social media platforms have become a nostalgic playground, where users share memories through seemingly innocent prompts. From the name of your first school to your childhood pet, these questions appear harmless and inviting, but they may also pose a significant risk to your online security.

These viral trends often ask for details that match the security questions used to reset passwords. Cybercriminals, instead of resorting to hacking, need only to compile enough personal information to convince a system that they are you. For instance, knowing the city you were born in or your first school can allow them to reset bank logins, shopping accounts, medical portals, or email accounts. Once they gain access to one account, they can easily pivot into others, creating a cascading effect of compromised security.

Further complicating matters, the public nature of social media can lead to the widespread dissemination of this personal information. Even if your profile is set to private, the comments and shares from friends can expose your answers, making it easy for attackers to collect data. Cybercriminals actively scrape social media for such information, which is often stored, sold, and utilized later—even if you delete the original post.

A recent example from a Facebook group in New Mexico illustrates this issue. A prompt asking users to share their childhood details garnered 141 comments, many from individuals who unwittingly shared personal information. The group itself raises red flags, seeming to operate as a platform for spammy posts and dubious product promotions.

The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice your enjoyment of social media to protect your identity. Here are some practical steps to keep your information safe:

• Minimize personal history in public posts: If a question resembles an answer you’ve used for account recovery, it’s best to skip it. Treat those details as sensitive.
• Avoid reusing security questions: Many platforms now allow you to create your own questions or answers. You could even use a whimsical phrase that’s not easily guessed, like “kitty cactus yak party” for your first school.
• Check your account recovery settings: Ensure your backup phone number and email are current. Remove old emails that are no longer in use, as these can be easy gateways for attackers.
• Be cautious with quizzes and tests: Many of these are designed to collect personal data. If a quiz asks for childhood details or other personal information, it’s best to pass.

Social media serves as a vital tool for connecting with friends and family, but it’s crucial to remember that once personal information is posted, you lose control over where it may end up. Keeping such details private is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your accounts and identity.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, remaining vigilant about online security must be a priority. By being aware of the potential risks associated with seemingly innocuous social media interactions, we can better safeguard our personal information from those who might misuse it.

Editor’s note: Rebecca Rutherford works in information technology at Los Alamos National Laboratory.