Social Media Location Check-In Can Put Your Home Security At Risk
December 29, 2011
Many people use social sites like Foursquare to stay connected with friends and family. Services like these were designed to encourage friends to get out and be active together by regularly checking-in and earning badges. However, location-based status sharing can also put a user’s home security at risk.
A check-in provides detailed information of how you’re living your life and allows anyone to keep tabs on you. For example, if you check-in daily at 8 a.m. at your favorite donut shop you’re establishing a pattern. Another member may use this information to access your home knowing you will not be there. With over 10 million users on Foursquare alone, it’s important to think twice before broadcasting your location.
Another helpful tip is to not check in while you’re away on vacation. While it may be fun to let friends and family members know about the great trip you’re taking, it’s best to save bragging rights for when you return. Nothing says “rob me” like letting your social community know you won’t be home for a few days. There are a few ways you can still use these location-based social sites but keep your home protected:
- Check your privacy settings: Sites like Foursquare will allow you to share “off the grid.” This means you can earn the points or badges associated with a check-in but maintain your privacy. The site also allows users to choose whether they’d like to share their check-in on Facebook and Twitter. By sharing on these social networks your information becomes available to those communities as well as search engines.
- Monitor friend requests: Like any social site it is best to only be friends with users you know in real life. While it can be great to reconnect with old classmates make sure you know who they are first. You wouldn’t tell a passerby where you’re headed so why would you share your location on Foursquare with someone you don’t know.
- Use common sense: The most important social sharing rule is to use common sense. Always think twice before posting your location on a social site. Burglars are using these sites more and more to take advantage of digital information. If they can easily find your personal information they could use it target your home. As a deterrent, always arm your alarm system before leaving. Once they see your home is protected, they’ll likely move on to another house.
While it’s not completely necessary to stop using location sharing sites, it is smart to take precautions. Small changes in your status updates and privacy settings can keep your home and family protected.
