The Hidden Dangers of Oversharing Online

Here's how to stay connected without being compromised.

Author

Spencer Coursen
August 06, 2025

From social posts to casual conversations, what you share could be putting you at risk.
Why This Matters

We are living in the age of the overshare—where likes, comments, and viral content reward us for being “real,” “relatable,” and “transparent.” But the more personal information you share online, the more you give away control of your safety.

You might think you're just posting vacation pics, answering a silly quiz, or chatting about your week with your barista. But to the wrong person—a stalker, scammer, or opportunist—you’ve just handed over the keys to your life.

This isn’t paranoia. It’s pattern recognition.

Burglars, abusers, predators, and hackers don’t need to be sophisticated to exploit what you freely put online. One selfie shows your street. One birthday post reveals your security questions. One live story confirms you’re not home. And six months of sharing? That’s more than enough to build a full profile of your habits, routines, vulnerabilities—and strike.

The Danger in Plain Sight

You already know not to broadcast that you're on vacation. But what about:

  • A TikTok from your apartment that shows your layout, your doors and windows, and what floor you are on.

  • A fit-check on IG from your local gym—location tagged and time-stamped?

  • A Facebook comment about the name of your first pet or childhood street?

  • A job update that shows your new office, your new commute, your new routine?

Now imagine someone combining all of those insights into a single, trackable, exploitable package.

And if you think this only happens to celebrities or influencers, think again. Most stalkers aren’t strangers. They are people who already have some level of access to our lives, like ex-partners, former friends, classmates, or co-workers.

“What you share may not be the reason you are targeted, but everything you share increases the likelihood of success for those who want to target you.”

—Spencer Coursen

Final Thought:

You don’t need to go dark to stay safe. You just need to be aware. Sharing selectively protects your life without compromising your lifestyle. It’s not about living in fear—it’s about living with foresight.

If you’re not sure whether it’s worth posting

Ask yourself: Is this helping my personal brand, or just feeding someone else’s plan?

Protective Strategies

You Can Employ Today:

1. Treat Every Post Like It’s Public—Because It Is

Even if your profile is private, screenshots are forever. Assume everything you post could be copied, forwarded, or reposted without your consent. If you wouldn’t shout it in a crowded room, don’t post it online.

2. Stop Giving Hackers the Answers to Your Security Questions

Those innocent quizzes like “Your porn name is your first pet + your childhood street” are gold mines for password recovery tools. Never post or comment personal identifiers like birthdates, family names, school mascots, or “firsts.”

3. Pause Before You Post—Especially in Real Time

Avoid posting in the moment from home, your kid’s school, or a recurring location. Save stories for after you’ve left the scene. Tag later, not live. Don’t give someone a live feed of your movements.

4. Audit Your Own Feed Like a Predator Would

Scroll back six months and ask yourself: What have I revealed? Would a stranger know where I live, when I’m alone, when I’m away, or what I own? If yes, clean it up and reset your boundaries.

5. Be Friendly, Not Familiar

Casual small talk with strangers can feel harmless. but remember: your barista doesn’t need to know about your breakup, your new door lock, or when your husband works nights. Oversharing doesn’t just happen online—it happens everywhere.

Live Smart. Stay Safe.

Did you find this helpful? Why not share it with a friend? You never know when one small shift in awareness could help keep them safe, too.

Were you sent this from a friend? Consider subscribing to learn my tips and tricks to help you protect what matters most.

SPENCER COURSEN

Spencer Coursen is a best-selling author, nationally recognized threat management expert, security consultant, protective strategist, expert witness, technical advisor, public speaker, podcast host, and veteran advocate. Coursen resides in Austin, Texas, with his Service Dog, RONIN đŸŸ

www.spencercoursen.com

Coursen Security Group

Coursen Security Group is a premier threat management firm based in Austin, Texas. CSG provides expert security assessment, consultation, and protective strategies to help organizations, public figures, and private families succeed in staying safe.

www.coursensecuritygroup.com