How Your Digital Footprint Puts You at Risk

Social media has transformed how we connect, but it comes with hidden risks. Many users unknowingly share personal details that can be collected, analysed, and even exploited through Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). This is the act of collecting information from publicly accessible sources. These may include social media profiles, online forums, public records and other data that is freely available in the public domain. Whilst OSINT is used legitimately in fields such as journalism and cyber security, it can be misused by individuals/groups with harmful intentions.  

Are You Exposing More Than You Realise? 

You might think your social media presence is harmless, but what you post, like, and share leaves a digital footprint, a trail of personal information that can be used to track you. 

Consider this: 

• Facebook: Friends lists might be visible to strangers unless privacy settings are adjusted. 

• Instagram: Photos, locations, followers, and interactions can be viewed by anyone if your account isn’t private. 

• Tweets & Status Updates: Casual posts about your workplace or favourite hangout spot can help build a pattern of your routine. 

  
  

How Can Someone Dig Deeper? 

Malicious actors don’t need advanced skills to uncover personal data, they just need patience and can utilise OSINT techniques like: 

• Reverse image searches to find where your photos have been used or pinpoint locations. 

• Social mapping to analyse your connections and followers. 

• Metadata extraction to pull hidden Exif data from images, revealing location and timestamps. 

• Reviewing tagged photos and comments to uncover relationships and activities you haven’t directly shared. 

  
  

The Dark Side of Online Exposure 

Once enough data is collected, it can be weaponised: 

• Doxxing - Publishing personal details online without consent, exposing someone to harassment or worse. 

• Blackmail - Using private information as leverage for manipulation. 

  
  

Protect Yourself from Unwanted Exposure 

Reducing risk doesn’t mean quitting social media, it means using it wisely. Here’s what you can do: 

• Set profiles to private – Limit who can see your content. 

• Make friends lists private, especially on Facebook. 

• Avoid sharing location information – Don’t tag places you visit frequently. 

• Regularly review what’s publicly visible on your accounts. 

• Report & block suspicious behaviour – If something feels off, report and block immediately 

  
  

Bonus Tip: Lock Your Facebook Profile for Extra Security 

If you use Facebook, the Profile Locking feature can restrict who sees your content. To enable it: 

1. Go to your Facebook profile. 

2. Click the three dots next to “Edit Profile.” 

3. Select “Lock Profile” and confirm the changes. 

   
   

Final Thoughts 

Your digital footprint is more visible than you might think, and once information is on the web, it’s hard to remove. By being aware, cautious, and using security settings effectively, you can enjoy social media without facing unnecessary risks. 

Even with strong security habits, managing data privacy can be overwhelming.  

At Data Privacy Simplified (DPS), we help clients and businesses safeguard their digital presence through expert, tailored privacy services. Our mission is to simplify data protection, making it easier for you to stay secure and compliant in an increasingly complex digital world. 

We also support organisations in achieving key certifications, including ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, and Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) management, ensuring your systems meet the highest standards of information security. 

Protecting your personal and professional information doesn't have to be complicated. Let DPS make it simple. 

Feel free to contact us at enquiries@dataprivacysimplified.co.uk or visit our website - Data Privacy Simplified | Data Protection.