Sharing Your Photos and Videos Safely

Why Share Photos and Videos?

It’s estimated that billions of images are shared online daily. People enjoy sharing their photos and videos on social media and their personal websites for many reasons. Most of us like to share work achievements, family news, vacations, and fun moments online. Sharing photos and videos can keep your friends and family updated, but be careful. Cybercriminals can use these same images to steal your personal information.

Risks of Posting Photos and Videos Online

Sharing photos of your new house or family vacation seems harmless, but cybercriminals can use these pictures to figure out where you are and what you're doing. Casual photos of a fun night out can reveal more than you would like, such as your friend group, home address, workplace, or birthday. Cybercriminals can gather this information and use it to scam you, your friends, and your family. Other risks include having your photos and videos copied or unlawfully used. Once photos or videos are uploaded online, anyone can use them! 

Secure Your Photos and Videos

If you want to share your photos and videos privately, you can use a cloud service with security features. Many of these services offer encryption, are secure, and lessen the risk of your data being stolen by cybercriminals. If you post photos and videos to your social media accounts, use your account’s privacy settings to limit viewing to friends and family you trust. A little security awareness goes a long way when protecting your photos and videos. 

What Can I Do to Stay Safe?

Remember these tips when sharing your photos and videos online: 

• When sharing personal photos online, choose a cloud service with extra security, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). Also, use strong passwords for your cloud service accounts and update them often. 
• Your phone adds hidden location details to your photos, called geotagging. You can remove geotagging from your pictures and videos through your smartphone’s settings. 
• Don't show personal documents, ID cards, or credit cards in photos you share online. Be careful what you share!