Personal Photos on Social Media May Lead to Cyber Threats, ETC Experts Warn
Today, during an internal cyber hygiene briefing, specialists from the Information Security Service of the Engineering and Technical Center (ETC) under the Administrative Directorate of the President of Kazakhstan shared important insights on the risks of personal data exposure online.
Experts warned that personal photos posted on social media can be exploited by cybercriminals. Using facial recognition technologies and other tools, attackers are now capable of creating digital replicas of individuals to carry out fraudulent financial transactions. For example, by taking a photo from your social media profile, criminals can construct a 3D facial model to apply for loans or forge documents.
ETC security specialists stressed the importance of exercising caution when sharing personal information online and warned employees about potential cybersecurity risks.
They also provided practical tips on safe internet practices and personal data protection. One recommendation was to use mobile versions of websites, which often feature stronger built-in security compared to desktop versions.
Additionally, employees were reminded of the rules regarding internal document handling. The use of messaging apps (such as WhatsApp) for sharing sensitive data, as well as the use of personal USB drives or personal email accounts for handling confidential information, was strongly discouraged.
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread, data protection begins with awareness and vigilance, the experts concluded.
