Last update: 21/01/2026
On the Internet, everything happens very quickly. We share, react and post within seconds, sometimes without stopping to consider how that information may be used by others.
Many scams start with details we have shared online. Today, artificial intelligence makes easier and faster for cybercriminals to collect large amounts of information and create messages that feel very personal and convincing.
Being discreet online could make all the difference
What’s your digital footprint?
It’s the trail you leave on the Internet. Failing to keep it in check is like walking barefoot with wet feet — you leave visible tracks everywhere. On the Internet, these tracks jeopardize your privacy.
You can follow these simple steps to take back control of your digital footprint and prevent criminals from using your information to personalize fraudulent messages and trick you:
Avoid posting sensitive data
Sharing your location in real time or your daily routine and hobbies means giving out information that could be used against you.
For instance, you post about going for a run every day at 7 am. A scammer sends you a message saying they’re from your bank and that they’ve “detected unauthorized access to your account at 7:15 am”. They know it couldn’t have been you because you were out running. The aim is to spook you into responding immediately and without thinking.
Scammers take public information to create messages that arrive just at the right time and appear perfectly legitimate.
The fewer the details, the better
Scammers don’t need to know everything. Just a few minor details will do. Take a look at these seemingly innocent statements:
- "Just bought my first car!" → Someone saying they’re from the dealership contacts you about "a problem with the paperwork".
- "Waiting for my Amazon order" → You get an SMS about "a delivery issue".
- "First day in my new job" → You get an email from HR asking you to confirm your bank details.
The more you share, the easier it becomes to personalize a scam to make it look real. Artificial intelligence can analyse profiles, spot patterns and create personalized messages in seconds. What used to take hours of work can now be done quickly and on a large scale.
Scammers don’t always need your ID or passwords. Credible scams can feed off a couple of everyday snippets.
Check your privacy settings
The speed at which we use social media works against us as we fail to check who can see what we share. That’s why it’s crucial you take the time to check:
- Who can see your posts: Everyone, your friends, or just you?
- What information appears on your profile: Phone number, email address, home city, job.
- Metadata in your photos: Many images include the exact location where they were taken.
- Connected apps: Check which apps have access to your social media accounts.
And something many people forget: delete old accounts you no longer use. Whether it’s that social network from years ago, the forum you signed up to once or the photo app that no longer exists, they might all still be showing your details. And if nobody is keeping tabs on them, they’re absolute gold for people looking for your data.
What can others see about you?
Put yourself in the shoes of a scammer and search for your name on Google. What comes up?
- Photos with location details.
- Contact information.
- Routines or hobbies.
- References to your work or studies.
If a stranger can find out where you live and work and what you usually get up to, they can also create a message that looks like it came from someone you know.
Taking a look at your online presence with a fresh pair of eyes helps you see what information you may be sharing without realising.
Your checklist for better online safety
Take 10 minutes to assess your digital footprint:
✓ I’ve checked my privacy settings.
✓ I’ve restricted who can see my posts.
✓ I’ve deleted old accounts I no longer use.
✓ I’ve Googled my name.
If you wouldn’t share your details with a stranger in the street, they shouldn’t be online, either.
