{"id":116902,"date":"2021-02-10T08:49:01","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T16:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"\/blogs\/?p=116902"},"modified":"2024-01-25T07:11:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T15:11:16","slug":"why-its-best-to-stick-to-sharing-chocolates-and-flowers-this-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/why-its-best-to-stick-to-sharing-chocolates-and-flowers-this-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Why it\u2019s Best to Stick to Sharing Chocolates and Flowers this Valentine\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Valentine\u2019s Day is nearly upon us \u2013 and as couples and singletons alike gear up for a day that\u2019s traditionally all about sharing, when it comes to our digital identities, might we be sharing too much, and how can we protect ourselves? With data showing that past, present and possibly even future lovers are willing to secretly snoop on your online information to find out all about you, it\u2019s safe to say that ill-intentioned online criminals can too.<\/p>\n

Living in a digital world has made it far easier to share more than just our hearts with the people we care about \u2013 but this can leave us more vulnerable to over sharing, and therefore to fraudsters. \u00a0Online fraudsters have been known to use Valentine\u2019s Day as an opportunity to take advantage of online dating sites and social media to scam those looking for love. And with many feeling isolated and shut off from friends and family at the moment, online dating can be a way to make connections which are currently lacking \u2013 whether that be romantic relationships or friendships. However, this opens up the opportunity for online scammers to make the most of our desire to feel connection with others, and these criminals will know where to look to find out more about you.<\/p>\n

Social media: friend or foe? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Whether you love it or loathe it, Valentine\u2019s Day is going to look a little different this year. If you\u2019re looking for that special someone, the current lockdown, working from home and simply not going out as much as usual will have taken its toll on your social and dating life. It should come as no surprise that as a result of the pandemic, time spent online has surged, with people having either introduced or significantly increased their online activity, including online dating and social media use.<\/p>\n

While many believe the risk lies in the dating apps themselves, the information you share across any online entity – known as your digital footprint \u2013 is where you need to pay attention, and dating apps can be a safe and enjoyable way to meet new people as long as you take the right precautions. And on a day that is very social media friendly \u2013 many can\u2019t help but share photos and post about loved ones online on Valentine\u2019s Day \u2013 make sure you are doing so safely. While a lot of people associate online crime with malware or phishing attacks, many aren\u2019t aware of how vulnerable they are when sharing information on social media. If you are not careful potential love interests, and criminals alike, can find information about your family, your home, and your job \u2013 all leaving you vulnerable. So it\u2019s worth checking your privacy settings before sharing that photo on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Protecting your dating identity<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The threat of having your personal identity stolen, having your dating profile hacked, or being catfished, are thankfully rare, but every year person can fall victim to these threats, so it\u2019s no wonder that so many don\u2019t feel secure when dating online.\u00a0 In the worst cases, those whose dating profiles are hacked might be extorted for money, and those encountering a catfish could end up handing over personal information which can be used against them.<\/p>\n

Not oversharing is not an art \u2013 only share information on your profile if you feel comfortable in doing so. This is important from both a personal and security standpoint. If your information is compromised, it could lead to anywhere from identity theft to harassment, so when you use a\u00a0dating\u00a0app, keep the sharing to a minimum\u2014and keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious activity across your social media, online accounts, and even your finances.<\/p>\n

These things all sound frightening \u2013 and of course, they are! But it\u2019s important to remember that they are thankfully rare, and you can still enjoy all the benefits that dating apps and social media have to offer if you take some simple steps. My top tips include:<\/p>\n