Tourists 'afraid social media will be read by thieves'

Some 45% of holidaymakers worry updates they post on social media will signpost their vacant home to thieves, fresh data has shown.

According to research by The Co-Operative Insurance:

• Three quarters of adults (75.5%) worry about home security when they go on holiday
• Holidaymakers in the West Midlands are the least security conscious with nearly two thirds (60%) admitting they check in on social media to boast about a trip away.
• Those in East Anglia are least likely to brag about their holiday online with just 37% admitting to doing so.
• Almost half (49%) said that they do not regularly check their privacy settings on their social media accounts.
• A further 10% saying they did not know how to change their settings making their lives open to snooping.
• When asked about their Facebook circle, 33% of adults said that they do not personally know everyone and many of their contacts are friends of friends.