We all love to have fun and share a good laugh with our friends through social media. But before you go ahead and post that cringy senior high school photo, you might want to think twice.

It may seem harmless, but trust me, there's more to it than meets the eye so you should consider the potential risks first.

What other types of posts can put your security at risk?

Before the breakdown of why sharing past school photos online, you should be aware that it's not just senior portraits that pose a risk.

Recently, viral personal list posts have become all the rage. You know the ones—where you reveal your cars, favorite athletes, or top 10 TV shows. The problem is, many of these "favorites" are often used as passwords or security questions.

If your social media privacy settings aren't robust, you might unknowingly be giving away valuable information to anyone with ill intentions.

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What risks are involved in posting your senior high school photo?

When you proudly display your senior portrait along with the name of your high school and graduation year, you're inadvertently handing scammers and hackers a goldmine of information.

Those seemingly innocent details are commonly used as security questions online. It's as if you're leaving your front door wide open and inviting trouble right into your virtual space.

READ MORE: If You Live in Illinois, You Better Change Your Email Password Today

How can scammers use this information against you?

A simple internet search using your school name and graduation year can reveal a wealth of personal information about you.

Think about it—your family members, real name, birthdate, and even your place of residence. Suddenly, what started as a fun #ClassOf(insert year here) post can quickly turn into a serious breach of your privacy.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging everyone to exercise caution and be mindful of what they share online. Even if you think you're only sharing it with your friends, it's important to remember that information has a way of finding its way elsewhere.

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How can you protect yourself on social media?

To ensure your safety on social media, the BBB offers some helpful tips. First and foremost, don't be afraid to resist the temptation to participate. If you're uncomfortable sharing personal details, it's best to simply opt-out.

Another thing it doesn't hurt to do is take time to review your security settings on all your social media platforms. Understand what you're sharing and with whom you're sharing it. A quick check can make a world of difference in protecting your privacy and might lead to cleaning out your friend list.

 

 

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