In today’s digital era, this comes as no shock.
burglars cruise social media
To figure out what and when to take — who’s likely to be at home?
traveling
The positive development is that advancements in home security technology have resulted in
a decrease in break-ins during the last ten years
However, this also indicates that criminals are becoming more sophisticated. A recent strategy they employ involves scrutinizing our TikTok posts, fresh Instagram photos, and Facebook family updates to identify indications that our residences may be at risk.
Even if you think your social media feed is safe, it can be tough to know who’s watching your feed. With the right practices, though, you don’t need to worry. Here are key social media mistakes to avoid, while still getting those likes — take a look before you post.
Read more
:
Best Ways to Keep Your Home Address Off the Web
Disclosing travel arrangements prior to departure can make your home susceptible to security risks.
Traveling can be thrilling, offering great chances to share your high-influence pictures from far-off destinations. However, this also carries an unseen danger; advertising that you’re traveling—or even just planning to travel—might alert potential thieves or other unsavory characters.
approval to seize the opportunity presented by an unoccupied home
. You’d be surprised how many people have
came back from a holiday to discover an unwanted visitor
.
Securing your home’s safety before going on vacation
Sure, I can assist with this, but it’s advisable to steer clear of potential risks by holding off on posting your vacation photos right away. Follow the lead of professionals and plan to schedule your on-the-spot vacation pictures for after you return home. This way, everyone can appreciate your vacation shots without delay once you’re back.
Important note
This also applies when you’re relocating to a different address. Hold off on posting until after the move has been completed.
Marking real-time positions displays precisely where you are (and aren’t).
Location-tagged images or automated geolocation features indicate your whereabouts in real-time when you share them. While it’s enjoyable to inform friends about arriving at an event space or visiting a beloved eatery, this practice simultaneously reveals that you are absent from home.
right now
This holds true as well.
regarding uploading an image that includes location tags
even when you’re simply roaming around the town.
This exact location information could provide mischievous individuals and burglars with the hint that you’re not at home, potentially making your residence vulnerable to criminal activity.
Discussing your daily schedule might inform burglars of the best time to strike.
Social media is brimming with individuals sharing their everyday rituals.
and habits
(Do we really need to know about your early morning jog?) But if you choose to share, be cautious with what you disclose. Avoid mentioning specific times when you go to work or hit the gym, for instance.
You wouldn’t want anybody keeping track of when your house or room might be empty. Thieves
are already using security cameras to spy on homeowner routines
; don’t simplify things for them.
Top Home Security Systems for 2025:
See at GAPTEKZONE
Sharing details about a major new acquisition might attract unnecessary attention.
Another common mistake social media users make is posting a pricey new item they recently obtained. Sure, it’s exciting to show off and share big buys like a new TV, a new PC setup, a collection of expensive miniatures, fancy new tools or new jewelry, but that’s the sort of thing burglars watch for online.
Stay secure and share those cherished buys exclusively with your real-life buddies to minimize the risk of theft.
Read more
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The 7 Most Common Home Security Mistakes to Stop Making
If you’re not involved, your children might step in.
Ultimately, remember that even if you’re extremely vigilant on social media, your children (or spouse) might be more relaxed about it. Especially younger individuals who use social platforms could lack awareness regarding the risks of sharing various personal information, particularly since a short video clip can quickly gain attention for them.
flash of realization on TikTok
.
So make sure your family also understands these risks and knows that there are certain things they shouldn’t post online — at least, not right away.
Does this stuff matter if your social posts aren’t public?
Limiting your social media to just friends ensures your posts remain private.
much
Safer and we strongly endorse it. However, it doesn’t eliminate all these risks. For instance, it can be challenging to determine who among your followers is currently tracking you, particularly when their friends might also have access to their social feeds, this becomes more complicated with a large number of followers.
Second, as mentioned above, other family members may not be as cautious and could reveal details to people outside their circles.
Third, some enterprising burglars may even spam fake account requests to access a huge amount of social profiles at once and glean whatever information they can. It’s pretty rare, but that’s also why you don’t accept random requests without some kind of connection.
Best Cheap Home Security Systems for 2025:
See at GAPTEKZONE
To learn more about securing your home, check out our suggestions for safety measures.
stress-free living alone
, our
extensive home security quick reference guide
and
advice for stopping various types of burglaries
.
Initially released on May 17, 2025 at 4:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
