Travel Tip 5
Your followers aren’t the only ones watching
Travel Tip 5
Your followers aren’t the only ones watching
“Wheels up to St. Barts.” A sunset photo tagged at your villa. A story from the safari lodge. Sharing the moment feels natural. To the wrong audience, every post is a status update that says your home is empty and shows where you are right now.
Even photos can reveal your exact location, how long you might be away, your belongings, family members travelling with you, or hidden location data. Criminals watch public profiles to map your movements, then strike.
Warning signs your personal info is at risk on social media
- Posts, tags, or check-ins that reveal you are away, or show your exact location
- Public profiles that list your home city, your properties, or your daily routine
- Real estate listings or photos online that show the inside of your home
BlackCloak’s cybersecurity travel tips
- Share holiday photos after you return, not while you are away
- Disable location tagging where possible
- Ask family and young travelers not to post their location on public platforms
- Avoid sharing travel itineraries publicly
- Review privacy settings on social media accounts
- Remove home address details and old property listings from public view
Destination: Reality
During the latter half of 2024, organized crews burglarized the homes of high-profile athletes, including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow while they were away at games. The FBI linked many of the break-ins to traveling criminals that use social media, public records, and surveillance to learn when a home sits empty. Some even used Wi-Fi jammers to knock out alarms and cameras before moving in.