In 2019, a poll showed that children and teenagers would choose a video blogging career over becoming an astronaut. Now, becoming an influencer online is just as normal as working as a waiter in a local restaurant. Different social media platforms with long videos, short-form content, photos, and online streaming have become a haven for anyone who doesn’t want to work a conventional job. But is it as safe as everyone thinks?
Life as an Influencer
Influencers are people who have built careers on social media and can influence their audience to take action, hence the name. Usually, they use their power to sell products, but sometimes, they also help raise money and awareness of important causes.
Despite what most people think, it’s not easy to become a successful online persona and make a living. Only 12% of influencers make more than $50,000 a year. Of course, some have a huge potential, but only some earn millions of dollars. As an influencer, you can:
- Have a flexible work schedule and take as many days off as you want;
- Create content that you want without any limitations and express yourself;
- Turn your hobby into a job and make some money;
- Receive free products and merchandise in exchange for exposure;
- Gain a fanbase and meet new likeminded people to make friends and network with;
- Raise awareness for important causes that you care about and help people around the world;
- Meet celebrities you have always been a fan of;
- Find new creative opportunities, such as starring in movies or opening a clothing brand.
That said, while being a popular online personality can be an interesting and lucrative venture, it also has many hidden risks, especially in terms of privacy.
Influencers and Privacy Issues
Although being an influencer boasts many pros, online bloggers don’t have healthcare benefits, retirement plans, or paid time off.
On top of all that, they also have to deal with privacy risks every day. Most influencers share everything about their lives online, which not only can trigger a lot of hate comments and unwanted opinions but also pose physical dangers, like stalking.
Public exposure can easily turn to data leakage, motivating data brokers to collect all information and build detailed personal profiles of influencers online. These details are later used for malicious intents, such as phishing attacks, holding data ransom, or even breaking into bank accounts and stealing money. So, it’s non-negotiable for them to know things like what to do if they accidentally opened a phishing email or downloaded infected files. Of course, it’s equally important to be aware of the steps that are needed to take to reduce the harm.
Other privacy concerns you can face as an influencer are:
- Deepfake technology, where your face can be used anywhere online with ill intent;
- Account hacks, where cybercriminals will use specialized software to break into your social media accounts and hurt your image;
- Impersonation, where scammers could make fake accounts in your name to trick your fans.
As the internet and technology continue to evolve, so do hackers and cybercriminals. That’s why influencers will face even more privacy issues in the future, regardless of the platform they post on.
Privacy Risks When Traveling
Influencers who travel for work deal with even more cybersecurity challenges than regular ones. Since they’re always on the move, they often end up using public Wi-Fi to check emails or connect with their audience. The problem is, public Wi-Fi isn’t secure, and it makes it easier for hackers to grab personal information. If one exposes one’s location on a public network, hackers might steal their identity in no time.
The least you can do as an influencer to protect yourself from such things is to avoid public Wi-Fi and use an eSIM for internet access. A general rule of thumb for traveling influencers is to google something like the best eSIM for Saudi Arabia and pick a plan to securely access the internet. Only then can you avoid the most careless cyber attacks when traveling.
Still Want to be an Influencer?
If you are still considering a path as an online influencer, you should seriously consider both the positives and the negatives of this career. Security risks are present in every job, but popular online personalities deal with the most serious issues, such as deepfakes and data leakage.
Remember that online safety should always be your priority. Tools and services like VPNs and password managers should be a part of your daily arsenal to safeguard sensitive data.
Now, if you’re really bent on becoming an influencer, check out our article, “Best of Both Worlds: How to Become an Influencer and Still Keep Your Job.”
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