Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
27 January 2026
From shopping online and ordering takeaways to scrolling social media and downloading apps, digital life has become inseparable from daily living for most South Africans. But while convenience has increased, so too has a growing and often invisible risk — the exposure of personal data that can leave consumers financially vulnerable.
According to FirstRand’s Head of Data Privacy, Amenda Makhetha, many people underestimate how their everyday online behaviour contributes to a digital footprint that can be exploited if not properly managed.
“Your activity online creates behavioural patterns that influence how you are profiled, the advertisements you see, and even the recommendations pushed to you,” says Makhetha. “Over time, this information builds a digital footprint that can be accessed, shared, or exploited beyond trusted channels, potentially exposing you to financial risk.”
Why Your Digital Footprint Matters
Every online interaction — from a search query to a social media post — leaves behind data. While individual pieces of information may seem harmless, together they can reveal detailed insights into a person’s life, habits, relationships, and financial behaviour.
“People often don’t realise how much they are revealing,” Makhetha explains. “A few public posts can disclose where you work, when you travel, who you’re connected to, and even patterns in spending or lifestyle. When combined, that information can be extremely valuable to criminals.”
For financial institutions, such data helps detect fraud and unusual activity. But in the wrong hands, it can be used to impersonate individuals, bypass security checks, or make fraudulent transactions appear legitimate.
A growing or unmanaged digital footprint can also result in increased security checks, delayed transactions, or even blocked accounts — all measures designed to protect customers, but often triggered by risky online behaviour.
How Everyday Habits Increase Financial Risk
Many people expose themselves to risk without realising it. Common behaviours include:
- Saving card details across multiple online platforms
- Downloading apps that request unnecessary access to contacts, location, microphone or photos
- Reusing the same password across several accounts
- Sharing personal milestones such as birthdays, travel plans or work details publicly
- Ignoring privacy and permission updates
Research suggests that between 40% and 43% of South Africans reuse the same password across multiple services — creating a single point of failure if that password is compromised.
“These actions don’t immediately lead to fraud,” Makhetha notes, “but they significantly increase the amount of information available if data is leaked or accessed by criminals.”
Reducing Risk Without Going Offline
Protecting personal data does not mean avoiding technology altogether. Small, practical changes can significantly reduce exposure while keeping everyday convenience intact.
Makhetha advises consumers to:
- Regularly review and limit app permissions
- Avoid storing card details unless absolutely necessary
- Use strong, unique passwords for different services
- Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
- Keep devices and apps updated
- Be cautious when sharing personal details online
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for banking or financial transactions
- Verify links before clicking
- Monitor bank notifications and report unusual activity immediately
“These habits may seem simple, but together they create a powerful defence against fraud,” she says.
A Shared Responsibility
Banks continue to invest heavily in fraud detection, encryption, and monitoring systems. However, customer behaviour remains a critical part of the security chain.
“When customers practise good data hygiene, it becomes easier for banks to distinguish legitimate activity from suspicious behaviour,” Makhetha explains. “That allows us to respond faster, protect accounts more effectively, and ensure smoother banking experiences.”
Ultimately, data privacy is not just a technical issue — it’s a personal one.
Protecting Your Data Protects Your Money
In an increasingly digital world, privacy is no longer optional. It is a key part of financial wellbeing.
“Protecting your data isn’t just about what you share online,” Makhetha concludes. “It’s one of the most powerful ways you can protect yourself and your finances.”
As online activity continues to grow, so too does the importance of being intentional, informed, and vigilant — because in the digital age, your data is just as valuable as your money.
