As the exam results season approaches, students and parents prepare to celebrate academic achievements. However, beneath the excitement lies a critical concern- the cyber security risks associated with sharing images of examination certificates on social media platforms.
The Risks:
- Identity theft: Posting certificates online exposes personal information, making individuals vulnerable to identity theft.
- Fraud: Certificate images can be misused to create counterfeit credentials.
- Social Engineering: Cybercriminals may exploit shared certificate information to manipulate individuals into revealing more personal data or engaging in harmful actions.
- Phishing Attacks: Sharing certificates makes you a target for phishing scams.
In this article, Senior Advisor, Paul Vlissidis, explores these risks and offers practical advice for safeguarding personal data while celebrating achievements.
Identity Theft
When sharing your exam certificate credentials online, safeguard against identity theft. These certificates often reveal personal information such as full names, dates of birth, and even student ID numbers.
Cybercriminals can exploit this information for fraudulent activities such as stealing identities, creating fake profiles, or accessing other personal accounts.
Fraud
Fraudsters exploit certificate information to create counterfeit documents or credentials. Numerous online services provide fake certificates, and possessing photos of genuine certificates enhances their authenticity.
Fraudulent activities may involve job applications or educational opportunities using stolen credentials. If a certificate number is misused, it could adversely affect the innocent victim.
Social Engineering
Cybercriminals can exploit detailed information from certificates in social engineering attacks. By impersonating exam boards or other trusted entities, they manipulate individuals into revealing confidential information or taking specific actions.
Awareness and skepticism are crucial to avoid falling victim to such scams.
Phishing attacks
When you share certificates, you become susceptible to phishing attacks. Cybercriminals may exploit this information to craft convincing phishing emails or messages, luring you into revealing sensitive data or taking harmful actions.
Always be cautious of unexpected requests related to your certificates.
Our advice
Vigilance and discretion are key to safeguarding your credentials. To protect yourself, we recommend:
- Avoid posting photos of complete certificates.
- Before sharing online, redact any sensitive information using digital tools or physical methods.
- Adjust privacy settings on social media platforms to control who can view your posts.
- Be wary of requests for certificate numbers or other personal information from unknown sources.
- Store digital copies of documents in a secure location, preferably encrypted and password protected.
- If using cloud storage, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
- Finally, if you think that personal information has been compromised, it is crucial to report the incident to the relevant authorities and take steps to mitigate the impact.
While sharing achievements such as examination certificates on social media can be a source of pride, it is essential to be mindful of the associated cyber security risks. By applying the measures listed above, parents and students can significantly reduce their exposure to these risks, thereby protecting their personal information and maintaining their privacy.
Looking for further insights?
Download a free copy of our latest Threat Landscape Report for the Higher Education sector.