Share Your Photos, Not Your Personal Information

Did you know that your digital photo files hold all sorts of interesting information? From just a simple image file, you can find the date and time the picture was taken, the date it was modified, and the exposure information on your photo's metadata? I didn't, and I was surprised to learn that not only can your digital photo file tell you what make and model camera you used, but details about the lens and flash too.

Most frightening of all, however, is that somewhere in your photo's metadata, you may be storing such personal information as your name, your home address, and other private and potentially embarrassing information, all of which can be seen if you post these photos online. Let's take a look at how we might better protect that personal data.

How do you know what information is contained in a specific image file?

Inside your photo's metadata is a lot of information, more than you might know. By using Windows or a photo organizer, you should be able to more easily discover this information for yourself. Using Windows Vista, for example, allows you to right-click a photo and choose "Properties." Clicking the "Details" tab should then give you access to much of the information stored on the photo.

Keywords and tags can also cause their run of problems when uploading photos online. Using embarrassing keywords to tag a photo of your friends, family or colleagues can lead to all sorts of trouble once you upload the photo to a photo-sharing web site. Remember, the keyword or tag placed on the photo generally goes with it when you upload them onto a photo-sharing website.

Is there a way to erase personal information in an image file?

Fortunately, there is a way to completely erase any and all personal information off an image file before uploading it onto the Internet. Continuing with the example from before, return to the Details tab of the Properties box. At the bottom of the window, there should be a link saying Remove Properties and Personal Information. Problem solved.

If you do not run Windows Vista then there are still alternatives to stripping pertinent information from an image file. You can try using a free application such as JPEG & PNG Stripper (figure 1.). JPEG & PNG Stripper instantly strips all personal information from an image file. Just remember: Once the information is erased from the metadata, it's gone forever. If you're planning on hanging onto it, it would be best to make a copy of the image file.

Figure 1. Image source: steelbytes.com

So, there you have it. Easy and straight-forward methods to keep your personal life protected when sharing with the world those priceless moments you've managed to catch on a digital camera.

Do you have any stories to tell regarding embarrassing moments caused by uploading an image file that had just a little too much info on it? Share your thoughts bellow in the comments section.