You pay for what you get, even if it's free.

As hard as it is to keep sharing my data online, I can’t help but do it. I need the app, okay. I admit, I don’t look through the list of permissions I am giving away anymore. To my defence, I just feel better if I don’t know how much I'm exposing myself, what can I do anyway? You pay for what you get, even if it's free.

But we need to take some time and look at what personal data is requested by these apps, that we consent to giving away. It seems we value our homes and cars more than we value who we are, our identity. We get security systems, trackers and a host of other technology and physical devices to protect our possessions, but we rush over security awareness tips on online shopping sites in a rush to do our business. We don’t respect the technology that we are using enough to learn about it and how it is playing a role in our daily life.

The social media giant, Facebook, has re-branded to Meta. Their CEO outlined the vision and how they are converging all services to one platform. The technology being used is revolutionary! I mean the ability to project holographic images to the person I am chatting with!! Are you kidding!!

But this wonderful technology does not come without considerations. As it is, our data in used to target specific advertising and base it on our interests, so if you were chatting to someone about a baby you’re having, your newsfeeds will be littered with sponsored content about nappies of all kinds, toys, and the like.

Earlier this year, it came to light that Facebook lost the data of 533million users in 106 different countries. Now, regardless of the exact moment the breach happened, the data is still out there and is being actively used to perpetrate cybercrime. How many duplicate accounts have you had? If not, you’re lucky to not have been hacked, yet. This also brings to light the impunity with which this global giant operates. The USA does not force their companies to subscribe to any data privacy laws. Facebook did not even have to let you know that they were breached at some point and that your data was out in the public domain, accessible to all who care.

There has been a rise in the take up of online transacting, especially in rural areas. We are ordering online more than ever. The lockdown has contributed to this trend, powered by the remarkable improvement in bandwidth speeds. On the other hand, the instances of social engineering attacks on unsuspecting individuals have increased. The cunning operators pretending to be bank officials are having their way. They are taking advantage of this new trend and creating scenarios where the victims is left in a trance, giving away CVV numbers after card expiry dates. Often, they run into smart individuals who quickly identify the threat and nip it in the bud, but unfortunately a return of just 1% is a major contributor to the significant rise to the trillion-dollar cybercrime economy.

Ransomware attacks, or just plainly, extortionists encrypting all your data to get you to pay them large sums of money to get it back, are also on the rise. The darknet is fertile ground for those who want to use their bitcoin to purchase these types of malicious exploits. We need to be aware of the sites we’re visiting and the free stuff that we can get online, remember, if it’s free, you are the product.

In South Africa, our data is protected under the Protection of personal information act 4 of 2013. POPIA lays out 8 conditions for the processing of personal information that every individual, public or private company in South Africa should adhere to. POPIA established an Information Regulator to be custodian of POPIA and PAIA sets out penalties of up to R10 million or 6 months in prison or both if you are found to be in contravention of the act.

Cyber security awareness in every computer user’s responsibility. We need to learn about the basics in protecting ourselves from cyber and social engineering attacks, and keeping your devices updated with the latest virus and malware definitions that are coming up daily.

Remember there are other, opensource operating systems which have wonderful graphic user interfaces just like the one you are accustomed to. Explore...safely!