An Instagram photo of and by Steffanie Guzewicz, 19, of NSW and the Mona Vale location where it was taken. Steffanie says she was shocked to discover her photos could be seen by strangers. Picture: Instagram Source: Supplied
SNAP happy Instagrammers uploading photos of jewellery and expensive gadgets they got for Christmas are creating a virtual shopping list for thieves, security experts say, with new technology making bespoke burglary easier than ever before.
New website ''The Beat'' allows anyone to search the public photo feed of picture sharing network Instagram for keywords - such as ''iPad'', ''iPhone'' and ''laptop'' - and displays the results using Google Streetview, showing exactly where they were uploaded.
A similar site, Streetgram, lets users comb specific map locations to uncover users' happy snaps of new computer equipment, cash and designer goods, many pinpointed at the home address where they were taken.
Both sites rely on GPS information provided by Instagram's geotagging feature, which users can choose to switch on or off.
Digital privacy expert Stephen Wilson, of security consultancy Lockstep, said anyone geotagging their photos should be ''totally concerned'' about their security.
A Burberry gold-plated watch, worth $799, found in Sunshine, Victoria. Picture: Instagram
''These tools are brilliant weapons for cat burglars,'' he said.
''If you're searching for a plasma TV, or the sort of stuff that people photograph and brag about like their Christmas presents, their new toys, their jewellery, that stuff becomes searchable and geo-locatable.
''The unintended consequences of these things is just appalling. I don't think anyone should actually release a site or an app like this until they spend a few weeks thinking about where things might lead.
''Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of Queensland Police said burglars regularly combed social media to find easy victims.
A Macbook Air, worth upwards of $1099, found in Geelong. Picture: Instagram
''Crooks realise that data is money, and they will exploit whatever they can,'' he said.
''It's a problem. These things are happening. One minute you're posting something on the net, the next minute you've got armed bandits coming through your door.''
Detective Hay said putting personal information on social media was like ''standing in front of a prison and handing over a dossier to all the paedophiles, rapists, murderers and burglars as they come out on parole''.
Privacy advocates have also labelled the tools a ''stalker's dream'', with searches for ''bikini'', ''bathers'' and ''swimmers'' revealing photos and locations of teenage girls in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Innisfail and regional New South Wales, many showing their home address.
A TopShop leather bomber jacket, worth $230, found in Parkside, SA. Picture: Instagram
Ryde (NSW) teenager Steffanie Guzewicz was shocked to discover her bikini picture had come up in search results for a location near her home.
The 19-year-old said she knew her photos were being geotagged, but was unaware strangers outside Instagram could find them and potentially track her down through social media.
''I was a bit shocked to find out they were public,'' she said.
''It's actually terrifying how accessible I was without even realising. I won't geotag again on Instagram after this experience, it really woke me up.''
A Marc Jacobs rose gold bracelet, worth about $115, found in Kent Town, SA. Picture: Instagram
Media representatives for both The Beat, developed by New Jersey's Rutger University, and Streetgram declined to comment.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Tips for staying secure on social media
- Disable geotagging features on all apps, or turn off location services on your phone altogether
- Make your accounts private
An iPhone 5, worth upwards of $799, found in Mitcham, SA. Picture: Instagram
- Limit personal information visible on your profiles
- Understand that anything you put into cyberspace is a risk
- Don't think it can't happen to you
WHAT WE FOUND: Christmas presents located through Streetgram and The Beat
SA
- TopShop leather bomber jacket, $230, Parkside.
- At least $1900 cash, Parkside
- Tony Bianco wedge shoes, about $150, Malvern
- Marc Jacobs rose gold bracelet, about $115, Kent Town
- Macbook Pro and iPad Mini, upwards of $1349 and $369, Burnside
- Two iPhone 5s, upwards of $799 each, Mitcham
- Electric guitar and amp, about $700, Clarence Park
- Macbook Air, upwards of $1099, Medindie
- Lululemon yoga bag, $199, Walkerville
NSW
- Macbook Pro, upwards of $1349, and $225 cash, Balgowlah Heights
- House of Harlow sunglasses, about $230, Cremorne
- Nokia Lumia 820 smartphone, $580, Cremorne
- Electric guitar, about $500, Fernhill
- Beats by Dr Dre headphones, $150, Cronulla
- DC Airmax sneakers, $160, Redfern
- Swarovski crystal necklace, $80, Fairlight
VIC
- Two Hermes bracelets, $1580, Toorak
- Macbook Air, upwards of $1099, Geelong
- Macbook Pro, upwards of $1349, Geelong
- Tiffany & Co sterling silver and titanium ring, $545, Carlton
- Mimco handbag, about $550, Moonee Ponds
- iPad 2, $429, St Albans
- Burberry gold-plated watch, $799, Sunshine
QLD
- iPhone 5, upwards of $799, Brisbane CBD
- iPhone 5, upwards of $799, Oxley
- Canon digital video camera, $6,660, Paddington
- Klipsch headphones with remote, $500, Jindalee
- Mimco wallet, $70, Norman Park
- 65'' LCD television, about $2900, Balmoral
- Macbook Air, upwards of $1099, Gordon Park
- Macbook Pro, upwards of $1349, Stafford Heights
WA
- Macbook Air, upwards of $1099, Crawley
- Macbook Pro, upwards of $1349, Kewdale
- Nikon digital SLR camera, about $500, Rivervale
- Michael Kors gold watch, $275, Morley
- DeLonghi coffee machine, about $2200, Ashfield
- Nintendo 3DS, $170, Hillarys
- Norco dirt bike, about $1500, Tapping
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