KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 – University students who share their resumes publicly on social media to find internship placements could expose themselves to cybercrime and personal data misuse, cybersecurity experts have warned.
Public Facebook groups are among the platforms that may put students at risk. Their open settings allow almost anyone to view shared resumes and personal information without joining the groups.
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology deputy dean Associate Professor Dr Zubaile Abdullah said students should think carefully before uploading their personal documents online.
He explained that cybercriminals could access information beyond the intended audience of potential employers.
More importantly, they could copy, save and share the information without the student’s knowledge. Deleting the original post may not remove copies already stored elsewhere.
Personal Details Can Help Scammers
Zubaile, who also serves as a senior researcher at UTHM’s Centre for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence, warned that criminals could use students’ names, education details and academic backgrounds to create convincing scams.
One common threat involves fake job or internship offers.
Scammers may pretend to represent companies or human resources departments. They could then ask students to pay registration fees, make training deposits or provide bank account details.
In addition, criminals may use resume information to launch phishing attacks.
These attacks often involve fake emails or WhatsApp messages designed to steal passwords or install harmful software on students’ devices.
Prepare Two Versions of Your Resume
To reduce these risks, Zubaile advised students to prepare two versions of their resumes.
The first should be a short version for public sharing on social media. It should contain only essential information, such as:
- Name and field of study
- Skills and relevant experience
- Type of job or internship sought
Students should leave out sensitive details, including full home addresses, identity card numbers and dates of birth.
Meanwhile, they can use a complete resume when applying through trusted job portals such as JobStreet and Glassdoor.
However, students should first verify the employer’s identity. They should submit detailed personal documents only through official company email addresses or secure application channels.
Universities Should Provide Safer Career Support
Zubaile also urged higher education institutions to introduce clear guidelines on resume sharing and personal data protection.
He said universities should expand career development programmes that connect students with industry partners.
These programmes could include resume-writing workshops, mock interviews and opportunities to meet potential employers. Such activities would give students safer and more structured ways to find internship placements.
Experts Recommend Professional Platforms
Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Faculty of Information Science and Technology professor Dr Zarina Shukur warned that careless sharing of personal information could expose students to financial scams and other risks.
She said scammers might target students for money or attempt to intrude into their personal lives.
Zarina also cautioned that publishing residential addresses could put students’ households at risk. Furthermore, students could expose the personal details of lecturers listed as references in their resumes.
She encouraged students to use professional platforms such as LinkedIn, Upwork and GitHub to showcase their skills and connect with potential employers.
The warning highlights the importance of protecting personal information while searching for career opportunities online. Students should remain cautious and verify employers before sharing sensitive documents.
Source : BERNAMA | Rewritten By Minutesmy
