Almost a third of the world’s population is currently hunkering down in their Diggs to escape the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Internet use has increased, and social media platforms and dating apps are groaning under the pressure as users log in to combat feelings of isolation.
Much has been written about the security hazards of dating applications which experts agree are particularly dangerous.
Because of the intimate nature of most of the information stored. Outright data breaches via hacking have been making headlines for years.
For example, the two separate AdultFriendFinder breaches exposed 412 million accounts. Some of which contained 20 years’ worth of customer data and the infamous Ashley Madison breach exposed the personal details of 39 million members.
Apart from hacking, non-encrypted data exchanges seem to be a major problem for dating app developers as in this breach reported by Ars Technica which left intimate images and the personal data of millions of users exposed on the web.
According to Wired magazine, many top iOS dating apps have insufficient measures to prevent the exposure of your private information due to their susceptibility to man-in-the-middle-attacks.
Since the value of the mobile dating app market has been estimated at around $12 billion for 2020. It’s clear that future industry leaders in the online dating industry are likely to arise from the ranks of those dating apps that provide the best security features.
So far, OkCupid, PlentyOfFish, Grindr, Bumble, Coffee meets Bagle, Christian Mingle, Hinge, and many others each have their own Achilles heel.
Delete Tinder account? Maybe not yet, because while the dating app industry movers duke it out in the security arena.
The online-dating roller-coaster continues in full force as people continue to run the gauntlet of online dating.
Therefore, until a clear winner arises, we’ll have to look elsewhere for the next best trend in online dating security.
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It’s Time to Demand Online Security as a Right
We’ve been lulled into a false sense of security by apps that look good and produce great results. We are oblivious to the dangers inherent in using badly coded or unencrypted mobile apps.
Perhaps the most effective new security trend is a change of attitude by mobile app users; a commitment to accept responsibility for our data that goes hand-in-hand with a demand that app developers produce a more secure product.
It’s time to declutter your phone, update applications, check your settings, and make smart security choices. Here’s a list of dating app security hazards which you should take very seriously:
Security Vs Privacy
While there are plenty of things you can do to improve online privacy and dodge pervasive tracking. You should also pay attention to protecting yourself from the possibility of data breaches.
There are constant, epic battles daily out there in Hackerland, and you should take whatever steps you can to protect private and intimate data.
Also Read: 20 Tips to Secure your Devices in 2020
1) Stop Using Public WIFI
A stupendous percentage of mobile apps do not use proper encryption. The tools for successful man-in-the-middle-attacks to obtain this data have never been more sophisticated.
Public WIFI networks like those in coffee shops, lounges, malls and airports that do not require passwords will allow anyone to monitor your activity. Rather use your phone’s Bluetooth function to connect.
2) Use a VPN
Install and use a VPN. Without a VPN, third (and fourth, and fifth) parties can see and dive right into your internet traffic. Stop their snooping and prevent cybercrime by disguising your movements.
A good VPN will hide your true IP address and location. So, if you have to choose between spending a few bucks on getting a premium dating account, and paying subscription fees for a good VPN, you should choose to pay for that VPN.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide for Privacy – The Right VPN Connection for You
3) Disable GPS and tracking
Your VPN will take care of GPS and location tracking for you. If you do not use a VPN, disable location and geolocation services of each app. Then disable the location service of your phone too.
4) Never Sync Social Media Accounts with your Apps
It is fairly easy for anyone determined enough to match data from a dating app with a user’s social media profile using just two or three data points e.g. name, phone number, job and education listings, or photos.
Syncing your social media apps is the equivalent of gift-wrapping your data if one of the accounts should be hacked or breached.
5) Get a Google Voice phone number to use for dating.
Use this phone number for signing up, and also for those first phone chats before you meet someone in person. It’s easy to forward the number to your phone.
Just keep in mind that while this will make your data more secure, it won’t do much for your privacy because ‘Google has your number’.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Email Security
6) Use unique photos for dating apps
Don’t repost your Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest photos. An online reverse image search can easily expose the profile you’ve just gone to some trouble to separate.
Have some fun taking new photographs, and remove the metatags before you store them to prevent accidental exposure of your real-life movements.
7) Fudge a few details
Don’t rush to expose every little detail about yourself online. Keep information high-level; it’s not necessary to list your degrees, street name, or favourite coffee shop.
Omit your last name and contact information, and do not list your social media account handles.
For extra safety consider using a masking service to open a new account or change the details on your current one.
While You Are at it…
Evaluate all your social media accounts and change explicit information. If you’re not convinced, try a helpful exercise: pick a random name from your dating app, and see what information you can find about this person.
This will give you a good idea of how exposed you are. There will always be bad actors who can circumvent all controls. But why make it easy for someone to steal your identity?
