cybercasing

ICSI in Northwestern University Medill Reports

"Online Privacy Could Keep You and Your Home Safe from Robberies"
January 11, 2012  |  Kristen Kella, Northwestern University Medill Reports

Social media and mapping web sites are tools of the trade for criminals looking for the perfect house to rob, ex-burglars told researchers in the United Kingdom. Nearly 80 percent of the burglars used social media to case homes, they told the Crimestoppers Trust, and the wealth of online information helps make an efficient operation of a burglary.

Five Things to Consider Before Posting Online

Monday, August 27, 2012

Think before you post

Social networks make it easy to instantly share information, photos, and videos online. For many people, this is a fun way to stay up-to-date with friends and family, but they may not realize the privacy implications of all this sharing.

ICSI scientist Gerald Friedland studies cybercasing, the use of online information to mount attacks in the real world, and, and recommends users consider the following before posting anything online.

1. Who can see/read this post? Public posts can be seen by anybody in the world, including your boss, governments, and even criminals. So rethink: Is the post appropriate for any audience?

2. Will my post offend people, and am I okay with the potential results of offending people? If the information in this post is shared with people I didn't anticipate sharing it with, will that cause any problems (for me, or for others mentioned/shown in my post)?

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