Many of us unknowingly fall for myths about cybersecurity, leaving ourselves vulnerable to threats. Let’s debunk some lesser-known myths, uncover the truths behind them, and empower ourselves to make informed decisions.
Myth 1: “My privacy isn’t at risk if I’m not famous.”
Truth: Hackers don’t target just celebrities. Whether you’re well-known or not, you can still become a victim. Cybercriminals exploit personal information like email addresses, phone numbers, browsing habits, or even addresses for identity theft, phishing, or social engineering attacks.
Example: A woman was arrested for financial fraud after creating fake identities on matrimonial sites. She used stolen photos and impersonated others to trick victims into transferring money.
Actionable Tip: Use tools like DuckDuckGo for private browsing, adjust your social media privacy settings, and be cautious about sharing personal information.
Myth 2: “It’s okay to post my kids’ photos online as long as I have a private account.”
Truth: Even private accounts can be hacked, and screenshots can circulate beyond your control. Overposting identifiable details like school uniforms or location tags puts children at risk.
Example: Mom influencers often reveal sensitive details unintentionally, such as showing their child’s school uniforms, bus routes, or daily routines in vlogs.
Actionable Tip: Avoid posting details that could expose your child’s routine or location, such as school or travel information. Share updates sparingly and focus on non-identifiable moments.
Myth 3: “Older people don’t need to worry about cybersecurity.”
Truth: Seniors are prime targets for scams, including phishing, tech support fraud, and fake bank calls. Cybercriminals take advantage of their limited tech-savviness.
Example: Elderly individuals are often scammed into sharing OTPs or debit card details under the pretense of updating banking information.
Actionable Tip: Encourage seniors to use password managers, ignore unsolicited emails or calls, and educate them about common scams in simple terms.
Myth 4: “It’s safe to give my personal device to a repair technician.”
Truth: Repair technicians may access sensitive data stored on your device, and there are cases where private photos or files were stolen.
Example: A computer technician once hacked a customer’s laptop webcam, leaking sensitive information online.
Actionable Tip: Back up and wipe sensitive data before repairs. For inaccessible devices, choose a trusted technician and, if possible, observe the repair process.
Myth 5: “Companies only collect data to improve their services.”
Truth: Many companies collect and sell user data to advertisers, often without transparent consent. This can include your location, browsing habits, and app usage.
Example: A fitness app was discovered selling user activity data to third parties for marketing purposes.
Actionable Tip: Regularly review app permissions and use browser extensions like Ghostery to block trackers.
Myth 6: “Using a private browser keeps my activity hidden from everyone.”
Truth: Private browsing only hides activity locally. Your ISP, employer, or websites can still track your behavior through cookies and other means.
Example: Advertisers often target users with ads based on their “private” browsing activity.
Actionable Tip: Use privacy-focused browsers like Brave and install tracker-blocking extensions for better online anonymity.
Myth 7: “Sharing personal details in giveaways or contests is harmless.”
Truth: Many giveaways are disguised data-collection schemes. Fraudulent contests can harvest personal data like emails and phone numbers, leading to phishing or spam.
Example: Fake online giveaways often ask for credit card details to “claim your prize.”
Actionable Tip: Verify giveaways for legitimacy and avoid sharing unnecessary personal information.
Myth 8: “Saving my card details on apps is completely safe and convenient.”
Truth: While it’s convenient, saving card details on apps isn’t entirely risk-free. Hackers can target apps, exposing sensitive financial information.
Example: In 2020, a food delivery app breach compromised customer payment details, leading to fraudulent transactions.
Actionable Tip: Enable MFA , Use different debit card for retail and other expenditures
Myth 9: “Sharing my live location online is harmless and only visible to people I trust.”
Truth: Sharing live location, even with a small group, can pose risks. Cybercriminals can track movements or plan targeted attacks. Even trusted platforms may have vulnerabilities.
Example: A social media influencer sharing a live location at a café became a target for stalking.
Actionable Tip: Avoid sharing live locations. Post updates after leaving places, limit visibility, and disable unnecessary location permissions.
Myth 10: “IoT devices make my home 100% secure.”
Truth: While IoT devices like smart locks and cameras enhance security, they are not foolproof. Weak PINs, unpatched firmware, or reliance on devices without manual checks can leave gaps.
Example: Hackers bypassed a smart lock system due to weak security settings.
Actionable Tip: Use strong, unique passwords , Create redundancy plans with physical backups.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity isn’t just about using complex tools — it’s about understanding risks and taking small but effective steps to protect yourself. Whether it’s safeguarding your personal data, photos, or loved ones, challenging these myths can make a big difference.
Call to Action
Help others recognize and overcome these misconceptions by sharing this guide. Let’s empower ourselves and others to take control of online safety!
