Don't make life easier for thieves. How to protect your online listings?

Are you listing your apartment for sale? Great! A shiny new listing online, beautiful photos, a detailed description... But you know what? For a buyer, it's just information. For a thief, it's a ready-made plan of attack.

It may sound like a scene from a movie, but that's how today's cybercriminal world works.
Your listing isn't just advertising; it's a treasure trove of data for someone looking to rob you.

Why is your listing the perfect target?

An address on a silver platter? Even if you don't provide the building number, photos with distinctive details, a view from the window, or neighboring buildings allow thieves to easily pinpoint your location. Sometimes, a few photos are enough to pinpoint your home.

The interior is full of treasures. Expensive furniture, electronics, jewelry on the coffee table, works of art. For a potential buyer, these are assets; for a thief, they're a shopping list. You're giving them a list of targets and the information that it's worth taking a look inside.

"House available now!" The information that the house is vacant is a signal that "you're welcome." It only takes a moment to check if anyone is actually there.

Apartment plans and floor plans.
Do you also show technical plans in your ad? It's like handing a thief a treasure map... This way, they know before they even set foot in your property. They're planning a burglary before they even get to your house!

Google Street View.
A thief simply needs to find your house on a map and they can conduct a virtual reconnaissance. They'll check where the nearest gate is, what the windows look like, and if there are any cameras.

Thieves operate online! You have to, too!

These aren't just stories. In recent years, the media and police have been warning about the growing number of burglaries planned based on real estate listings.

Police are warning: criminals are combining listings from sites like Zillow and Redfin with Google Maps to plan burglaries. The New York Post and ABC7 Los Angeles report that US residents have begun blurring their homes on Google Street View to make their burglary more difficult. It's a simple, yet effective move.

75% of thieves use social media and Google Street View to plan burglaries, according to Insight Security. That's why you need to be careful what you post. Some admit to scouting for victims and planning burglaries based on... Facebook accounts.

The Dark Web is another dark side: security agencies like Barry Bros. have discovered that burglars are using Dark Web tools to locate and target homes based on leaked data.

Cyber ​​hygiene in practice - How to protect yourself?

This doesn't require advanced hacking knowledge, just common sense and caution!

Photos and Ads:

• Remove metadata (EXIF) from photos - hide the location.

• Don't show expensive items or expensive electronics. Hide them before taking photos.

• Disguise the view from your window. If it's a distinctive view that allows you to be easily located, simply hide it.

• Don't provide your full address. Initially, it's just an email address and phone number.

Google and the Internet:

• Consider blurring the image of your home in Street View. This is a free option, available through "Report a Problem."

• Use social media wisely! Make your personal profiles private and don’t share your trips and holidays information in real time!

Physical security:

• Get visible alarms, cameras, and motion-sensitive lights. This in itself will deter a burglar.

• Get a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on the house when you're away!

Social media risks

Social platforms are a goldmine for burglars. A simple vacation selfie or a post bragging about your new TV can tell criminals two things: you're away, and you own valuables worth stealing! Oversharing makes you an easy target. Thieves don't even need to hack you; they just need to check your social media and see what you're oversharing! Always think twice before posting anything. Limit the number of people who can see your content and avoid real-time updates!

Summary

If you must, publish information about yourself and your assets wisely! Before doing so, think like a thief! Also, use multi-layered security—both online and offline. Take care of your privacy 24/7!

Links/More info:
https://www.insight-security.com/burglars-using-social-media-to-identify-target-properties
https://abc7.com/post/blurring-homes-google-maps-thieves-search-websites-like-zillow-redfin-police-say/15223560/
https://www.barrybros.com/2025/03/how-thieves-use-the-dark-web-to-find-their-next-target-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/
https://thecyberexpress.com/ways-social-media-is-fuelling-cybercrime/
https://its.uky.edu/news/how-oversharing-on-social-media-could-put-your-personal-information-risk
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexvakulov/2025/01/04/the-dangers-of-oversharing-quick-privacy-tips-to-stay-safe/
https://bscsg.com/the-perils-of-oversharing/
https://cisometric.com/articles/why-oversharing-online-is-dangerous