The Social Media Blabbermouth: How Oversharing Online Could Turn You into a Target!

Howdy, internet enthusiasts! Let's imagine a scenario, shall we? You're chilling in a café, and a stranger walks up to you and asks, "Hey, are you going to be home next week?" A bit creepy, right? Or imagine a random person walking up to you, asking you when your birthday is, what your pet's name is, or what your mom's maiden name is. You'd probably tell them to buzz off!

Most of us wouldn't dream of sharing this information with complete strangers in person, yet, that's exactly what we're doing on our social media accounts! It's like we've got a giant sign on our foreheads saying "Identity Thieves, Welcome Here!" 

You may think, "But those photos of me sipping margaritas on a beach in Bali are too good not to share!" or "Everyone knows my kid's names, what's the harm?" Well, here's the kicker: sometimes, these little snippets of our lives are the puzzle pieces that cybercriminals need to crack our online security.

So, here's a list of DOs and DON'Ts that will help you become less of a blabbermouth and more of a savvy social media user:

1. Password Plunder DON'Ts: Never use personal information like your birthdate, pet's name, or favorite movie star as your password. It might seem easier to remember, but it's also easier for someone else to guess. And let's face it, "ScarlettJohanssonFeb1984" is not as clever as you think!
2. TMI Alert DON'Ts: As much as you might want to show off that tropical vacation, try not to post photos while you're still away. You're basically putting out an open invitation that says, "My house is empty, please rob me!"
3. Trivia Trap DON'Ts:Resist the urge to participate in those 'fun' social media quizzes. They may seem harmless, but when they ask for your movie star name (first pet's name + mother's maiden name) they're not just trying to tell you that you'd be called 'Fluffy Smith' in Hollywood!
4. Password Plunder DOs: Opt for a random, unique password for each account. Yes, it's harder to remember, but it's also harder to crack. Plus, there are plenty of password managers that can help you keep track of them all.  Check out my post on password managers here.
5. TMI Alert DOs: Wait until you're safely home to post vacation photos. You can still brag about your trip, just do it retrospectively! Plus, the suspense will keep your followers waiting with bated breath for your travel snaps.
6. Trivia Trap DOs: Go ahead and play those social media games, but make sure you're giving fake answers. That way, you can still participate in the fun without handing over potential password clues on a silver platter.

Remember, folks, it's not about becoming a social media hermit. It's about sharing smartly and responsibly. The internet is a wild place, and it's up to us to navigate it wisely. So go forth, post, tweet, and share, but do it with a dash of caution. Your future un-hacked self will thank you!

Have your own tips?  Leave them in the comments  Have fun and safe computing everyone!