Yet, your choice of editing tools and file-handling practices can turn photo editing from an essential and rewarding part of photography to its weakest cybersecurity link.
Want to know what dangers come with photo editing and how to get around them? Then continue reading!
What Cybersecurity Risks Does Photo Editing Entail?
Mishandling your files or the editing process can impact everything from the privacy of your subjects to the security of your devices and accounts.
Most industry-standard photo editing tools have adopted a subscription-based model. They partly justify the shift by offering cloud storage and features accessible only online. That means you’re entrusting your files — which may contain sensitive details an attacker who gains unauthorized access to them could exploit — to an external entity whose security practices you have no control over.
Some photographers are increasingly disgruntled with established providers’ recent practices and are looking to switch. Several online alternatives offer the same fundamental features, but using them may come with risks. For example, they may claim to delete the base photo yet keep it, potentially explicit or private details and all.
There’s also the matter of safeguarding metadata. Editing a photograph doesn’t usually remove the metadata on the date and time it was taken, GPS coordinates, camera settings, etc. While these are useful for referencing, restoration to original settings, and file organization, someone who steals such an image and is aware of metadata could use it to gain valuable information on you or the subject.
Hobbyists unsure of their commitment to photography often download pirated versions of paid editing software to get their feet wet. These may infect your devices with malware that can cause slowdowns, extract sensitive data, or even lock you out unless you pay a ransom.
While these affect regular people more than professional photographers, editing apps are another concern. They’re usually free or cheap and offer fun features for on-the-go photo glow-ups. However, such apps can introduce a host of problems. These range from asking for permissions a photo editing app has no business needing to infecting your device with malware and ads, to selling your data and photo content online. The introduction of AI has only made things worse,
