In the past year, skilled burglars – believed to be part of a South American organized crime gang – have famously targeted the homes of pro athletes. However, criminals have also been targeting online influencers, going after many of the products or goods that were flaunted in social media posts.
In December, the London home of Shafira Huang, an art collector and cultural ambassador for the Halcyon Gallery, was robbed. The thieves reportedly made off with £10.4 million ($12.7 million) in jewelry and other goods. She is not alone in being targeted after possibly posting too much information online.
Multiple Los Angeles influencers were also the targets of burglaries, with the criminals striking while the social media stars were traveling.
Digital Targets
Criminals are essentially finding their targets, and even “casing” the victims’ residents by watching the posts made on social media. While the targets have largely been high-profile influencers and online celebrities, experts warn that anyone can become a victim by “oversharing” on social media platforms.
“Sharing personal information online, especially details about travel plans, location, or valuable possessions, can indeed increase security risks for all types of users, not just high-profile individuals,” explained Professor Justin Miller, associate professor of practice in the School of Cyber Studies at the University of Tulsa.
Even as social media encourages sharing experiences, it’s crucial to be mindful of the potential consequences, suggested Miller.
“Oversharing can provide malicious actors with valuable information to exploit, making individuals more susceptible to targeted attacks like burglaries or even physical harm,” he added. “It’s essential to practice responsible online behavior by limiting the disclosure of sensitive information, being cautious about who can access your posts, and reviewing privacy settings regularly. Remember, a healthy balance between sharing experiences and safeguarding personal information is key to staying safe online.”
Social Engineering In Reverse
Cybercriminals often employ so-called “social engineering” techniques to gather crucial information that can be used to hack a network or gain access to data. This can include getting individuals to click a link that installs malware or otherwise provides an opening.
In the case of social media, the victims are essentially handing the proverbial keys to the thieves.
“These are victims of classic social engineering – an important and less understood personal cybersecurity risk,” suggested Lawrence Pingree, vice president at cybersecurity researcher Dispersive and a stealth networking expert.
“The defender must think of or model all possible scenarios to avoid becoming a victim, while a threat actor has asymmetry on their side – they must only find one weakness,” cautioned Pingree.
This threat isn’t limited to influencers. Anyone who shares a lot online could be providing those crucial details to cybercriminals but also the type of gangs who are engaging in these physical break-ins.
“If you’re a person who may be being targeted, keep in mind that whatever you post, it’s public information – thus can be easily used against you by a threat actor,” said Pingree. “This falls into the category of good social hygiene and mindfulness of privacy, which everyone should practice – and especially those that have a higher profile.”
Inviting Trouble Via A Post
To date, criminals have largely engaged in robberies, where the thieves have sought to go after the homes of victims while the influencer is traveling. Yet, another popular influencer – known by the online pseudonym Baby Alien – was robbed and assaulted in the Bay Area this past fall while he was promoting a local smoke shop.
It may just be a matter of time before such crimes could escalate. This is why keeping a lower profile on social media might not be such a bad idea. Not everyone is going to be your friend.
“Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting devices or networks—it’s also about safeguarding information that can lead to real-world risks,” said Emily Phelps, director at cybersecurity provider Cyware. ” Sharing real-time travel updates or personal details on social media can inadvertently expose vulnerabilities, much like how organizations face risks when sensitive operational details are made visible. Whether posting as an individual or for your businesses, fostering a culture of security awareness, collaboration and prudence is step one in mitigating threats.”
In other words, maybe it is time to be a little more paranoid when using social media – because someone might really be out to get you.
