Keeping your property safe on social media

In today's digital age, where sharing moments and connecting with friends has become the norm, it's easy to overlook the potential risks associated with oversharing on social media. While these platforms offer numerous benefits, they also offer insights into our lives that can inadvertently make us vulnerable to threats, including burglaries. It's crucial to be aware of how burglars can exploit social media to target their victims. 

 
Follow our guide to help make your online presence and home more secure:

One of the most common ways burglars use social media is by tracking people’s locations through posts, check-ins, or geotags. When posting about your current location or upcoming vacations, you could unintentionally provide burglars with valuable information about when your home might be empty. This information can be used to plan break-ins with higher chances of success.   

We’re all guilty of getting excited and letting our friends & family know about our holidays on social media. Whilst these posts might seem harmless, they can be an open invitation for burglars. Posting about your upcoming trip not only signals that your home will be empty, but it also gives potential intruders a timeframe to work with. If you can’t refrain from posting whilst you’re away, make sure your home is protected with CCTV that you can access from any exotic location in the world. Yale’s Smart Motion CCTV kit cameras focus on real threats by being able to identify human & vehicle shapes rather than relying on heat & motion. Check on your cameras from anywhere in the world using the Yale View App. 

Pictures and posts showcasing expensive items like jewellery electronics, or high-end purchases can inadvertently draw burglars' attention. Criminals can create a mental inventory of your belongings based on your posts, making your home a more appealing target. Keep these items safe and secure when at night and when you’re out of the home by storing them in a safe. The Yale Smart Safe is ideal for busy households by providing the ability to be opened and locked via the Yale Home app. Using the smartphone app you can also see who has accessed the safe and grant access to trusted people.  

Regular posting patterns can inadvertently reveal your daily routines and habits. If burglars notice a consistent schedule, such as when you’re at work, school drops off journey’s etc, they can time their attempts when they know you're likely to be away from home. Reducing posting on social media during these times is a great preventative but to be extra safe, having some outdoor security and lighting is a great way to deter criminals. The Yale Floodlight Camera is the perfect combination of both. Featuring Yale’s brightest security light, this mains-powered system boasts a 2000-lumen floodlight. Change the light settings to suit the season and your needs including Manual, Dawn-to-Dusk and Motion-activated.  

Burglars may create fake profiles or impersonate acquaintances to gain access to your social media connections. Accepting friend requests or connections from unknown individuals can unknowingly provide them with personal information and aid in planning a burglary attempt. 

Even if you have privacy settings enabled, it's important to remember that nothing on the internet is truly private. Burglars might still find ways to gather information from public posts or through mutual friends who have access to your private content. 

 In a world where connectivity is prized, striking a balance between sharing and safeguarding your personal information is essential. By being aware of the ways burglars can exploit social media, you can take proactive steps to protect your home, your belongings, and your privacy. Have peace of mind knowing you’ve secured your property with trusted experts Yale, shop the Yale range on our website.