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THREAT INTELLIGENCE

Exposed executives: how to reduce directors' personal data online

An exposed address, phone number, family and routine fuel CEO fraud, SIM swaps, deepfakes and threats. See where this data usually is and how to reduce and monitor exposure.

IN 30 SECONDS

  • Directors' personal data turns into CEO fraud, SIM swaps and deepfakes.
  • The first step is mapping what is exposed, including the family.
  • Removal, strong authentication and dual approval reduce the risk.
  • Continuous monitoring detects leaks and fake profiles early.

Directors and partners are prime targets. With their address, phone number, children’s names and routine published here and there, a criminal can pose as the CEO to request a transfer, hijack their phone number, build a convincing deepfake or threaten their family. You can’t disappear from the internet, but you can greatly reduce what is exposed and notice early when someone uses that data.

How exposed data turns into an attack

  • CEO fraud
    Emails and messages in the executive’s name ask the finance team for urgent payments.
  • SIM swap
    With ID numbers and personal data, the scammer moves the phone line and intercepts access codes.
  • Deepfake
    Public photos, videos and audio feed voice and image impersonation.
  • Doxxing and threats
    An exposed address and routine make intimidation, extortion and physical risks easier.
  • Fake profiles
    Accounts in the executive’s name approach customers, suppliers and staff.

Where this data usually is

People-search sites, old leaks for sale on the dark web, relatives’ profiles, geotagged photos, domain registrations, news and public company records. Some public records can’t be removed; the job is to reduce everything that can be avoided and monitor the rest.

How to reduce exposure

  1. Mapping
    We survey what exists about the executive and family in open sources, social media, leaks and the dark web.
  2. Removal
    Removal requests to websites and search engines, and use of LGPD rights such as deletion and objection, where applicable.
  3. Account hardening
    Strong authentication (ideally an app or physical key), separate email addresses and a number-porting PIN with the carrier.
  4. Payment rules
    Dual approval and confirmation through a known channel for any urgent request in the board’s name.
  5. Continuous monitoring
    Alerts for new leaks, fake profiles and domains that look like the company’s.

The family is part of the perimeter
Often the executive is discreet, but the public profiles of children and spouses reveal address, school and travel. A guided conversation with the family is worth as much as any tool.

Quick checklist

  • Exposure of the executive and family mapped
  • Removal requests sent
  • Strong authentication and number-porting PIN enabled
  • Dual approval for urgent payments
  • Monitoring of leaks and fake profiles in place

HOW GESTÃO DE TI CAN HELP

Anti-Spyware Sweep

Mapping and monitoring of executives' exposure across open sources, leaks and the dark web.

WRITTEN BYFelippe BrittoCISO & Head of IT · 28 years of experienceView bio →

For information only. This does not replace a professional review of your specific case. Legal references reflect the rules in force on the publication date (Brazilian law).

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