She ‘likes’ Audi on Facebook. She uploaded the name of the cafe she is currently in to Twitter. The keys are in her bag, by her feet. Her phone is visible on Bluetooth.
Criminals are increasingly focusing their efforts upon those people who upload valuable data to social networking sites.
“Cybercasing” is the term used to describe the process by which a criminal can anonymously monitor a potential victim by watching as they sequentially upload valuable data about their possessions and their current geographical location.
A Simple Example:
Facebook Status Update: “A picture of me and my new Audi at the dealer franchise in Dallas!”
then, two days later…
Twitter Update: ” In Rocky’s Bar, Dallas with Kim. Come and join us!” – sent via iPhone App
The criminal already knows what you look like (you posted your beautiful face on Facebook, didn’t you?) and you told them what you drive. They now know your precise location (you just uploaded a helpful map to Twitter using your iPhone, didn’t you?) and that you are relaxing in a cafe bar.
Just as the Darwin Awards were invented in the 1990’s to honor those who killed themselves through their own stupidity, so time may be running out for those who openly advertise their valuable possessions and their geographical whereabouts to 900 million complete strangers.
Insurance companies already refuse to pay out on theft claims from people who have left their keys in their car’s ignition…only to find that some absolute cad has slipped behind the wheel and selected “Drive” while they were chatting to the postman or getting something from the house.
It makes sense to assume that it will not be long before the insurance industry takes a dim view of those who sequentially reveal information to strangers about their identity, location, their valuables and where to find the keys.
Most police forces, just like professional criminals, make full use of un- encrypted cell phone messages and social networking sites to hunt down their prey. In the case of the Police, they are usually trying to intercept a particular person but criminals are interested in knowing where someone is for the opposite reason: if the person is at the beach, then they aren’t at home. If they drove into town then their keys are certainly with them. If they are out celebrating with friends then they may not be on their guard.
Professional athletes have known for some years that their houses are most likely to suffer a break-in while they are away competing or playing their sport. Everybody who follows sport knows where they are going to be at a certain time on a certain day.
But it seems to be a lesson not yet learned by the average person that Social Media reveals their own movements and plans just as clearly if they openly publicize their social interests, hobbies, friend network and current location.
Love motorbikes? Of course you do. Particularly Harleys. You have a profile of yourself on the Harley-Lovers Site. You post on the forum. You uploaded a picture of your pride and joy. It is one of the rare ones, very desirable. There’s you, in the picture, next to it. You even got three “likes” for the picture. Fantastic bike. Way to go!
Then, you bought some rare enamel Harley badges on e-Bay. Real bargain! The guy posted them to you sameday. Top seller. Great guy.
That’s right.
You just gave your full address to a complete stranger who now knows exactly where you live.
What’s that you say on Facebook? You and your partner have got tickets to see Radiohead play and you’re in ecstacy ‘cos its her turn to drive?
Excellent.
You will be away from home for at least six hours.
The wireless alarm box will act dumb once I climb my ladder, unscrew the cover and remove the back-up battery. A suction-pad glass cutter on the back door will stop the neighbors hearing anything. Your fuse box is exactly where I expect it to be.
The Harley is in the garage and the keys will be in the drawer in the kitchen. You have a dog? Nope. You used to.
You can keep the ladder. It wasn’t mine, anyway.
It is becoming ever more crucial that people understand that it is not cool to upload information to websites that can identify and link you like the cross-hairs in a sniper’s gun.
If you value your folk and your possessions, keep it private. Think carefully about whether it is a good idea to keep the same username across different websites.
Be sociable but always be smart.
roadwax 
This is so true. It’s frightening just how much personal information is flying around at any one time, much of it harvested without the knowledge or consent of the individual concerned. It’s almost impossible to find out exactly who has your details. Isn’t the “connected world” a fantastic thing…
Yes indeed!. Like you, what saddens me is that major social websites are still not reminding people of the risks they are really taking if they don’t ‘join the dots’ and see the cumulative risk.
Exactly; but if they did would they have as much business? I doubt they want to deter users, preferable that the unwitting take all the risks.
I couldn’t have put it better myself. For example, if even 10% of Facebook profiles are bogus or duplicate (a figure even Facebook has accepted is possible) how does that affect the share price? Also, how many legitimate Fb users are in fact being innocently connected by a solid evidence trail to criminals, hiding behind bogus profiles?