According to a 2019 report from Hootsuite, a social media management platform, 76 million Filipinos spend most of their time on social media. Seventy-five million of these Filipinos are on Facebook.

Like real-life dangers, people can get into shady engagements, supplying personal details, including full name, mobile number, birthdate, even home address, just to name a few. In some cases, people post photos of their identification cards that reveal all the information needed to dupe you out of your money and identity.

Screenshot of a Facebook group where people gave away their full names and mobile numbers

Since the government has issued the enhanced community quarantine, cybercriminals have leveled up their game by pretending to be someone from a variety show, or, offering cash and relief goods under a false name. This is where people give up personal information.

A screenshot from Facebook of people who gave away their full names and mobile numbers to a group impersonating a variety show and its host celebrity.

For cybercriminals, Facebook is a treasure trove and they only need to dig up the data. You might think what can a few people behind computer screens do, with all your information?

Plenty.

Typically, hackers will sell your data. This reduces risk for them, and provides immediate profit. The price for stolen personal information depends on how valuable it is. For example, personal data from a government official or a celebrity is far more valuable than that belonging to the average person.

Other things hackers can do with your data is go to a bank and file a loan under your name. Can you imagine, suddenly waking up in the morning, to learn you owe the bank a huge sum of money? This has already happened in 2016 on a Public School Teacher where he owes three banks for P800,000.

Screenshot of a Facebook group where people gave away their full names and mobile numbers

Like the real world, being online has dangers that can ruin lives. Your personal data: Full names, mobile numbers, email addresses, home addresses, all of it, should be kept private.

Screenshot of a Facebook group where people gave away their full names and mobile numbers

Here are some simple tips to protect your personal data:

1.) Not everything on the internet is true. If someone is willing to ship a second hand iPhone X for $12 to you, take a huge step back. Anything that sounds way too good to be true is a red flag.

2.) Start treating your personal data as your own money, which means you protect them at all cost. Finding yourself in websites that offer cash prizes or rewards if you sign up are red flags. Do not fall for these tricks. Sometimes you might even get messages and emails from someone you know, trying to show you something through a link. Do not do that. Call your friend and verify if they sent that link and what it is. Sometimes these links can direct you to a malicious website. All it takes is a few seconds for that website to install malware into your mobile phones and computers.

3.) Never ever give your personal data to a stranger on the internet. They might make wild claims such as being a celebrity from a variety show or a staff from the senator. Hackers will try to excite you to let your guard down. While online, keep your guard up as if you’re walking down a dark street at night.

4.) Protecting yourself is not enough. Educate other people too so they can protect themselves as well.