We all love to post pictures of trips, new apartments, pets and loved ones online. But can doing so help someone to burglarize our home or stalk us? The answer is a scary but definitive, yes. Smartphones and digital cameras with GPS technology can embed what is called a geotag in photos. This little bit of data provides the precise longitude and latitude of where the photo was taken, giving anyone access to your location or that of your children, home or car.
You may think, who cares? But how many times have you posted pictures that you took in your own home, possibly a picture that has your 52’ flat screen TV and laptop in the background? Or better yet, a current vacation picture with a geotag that essentially announces, “My home is empty and I‘m miles away.”
Our advice: disable geotags immediately. Being aware of privacy and security issues online is essential for our safety. While blogs and social networking sites are great ways to stay in touch with family and friends they are also great tools for seasoned burglars or stalkers. For more information check out this New York Times article.
*Content expressed in Home Security Source does not represent the thoughts and opinions of ADT Security Services, Inc. unless explicitly indicated.