## 2 Cybersecurity Challenges and Threats in X
### Security Threats in X
#### 2.1.1 Multimedia Content Threats  
X allows users to share various forms of data, including multimedia content, which has been improved by the integration of high-definition videos and images. However, multimedia search technologies, such as geotagging and facial recognition, can increase the potential for illegal use of shared data, putting sensitive user information at risk. This section focuses on the multimedia threats that attackers could exploit to obtain sensitive user information from multimedia data shared on X [18]. * Multimedia content exposure Individuals using social media platforms, like X, are generally cautious about sharing text-based information, such as their identity and home address. However, they often overlook the risks associated with sharing multimedia data. For example, posting a picture of their home can help intruders locate their address. Updates about their whereabouts can indicate an unoccupied home, increasing the risk of burglary. Photos can also reveal the user's current location, aiding potential intruders. Additionally, shared images may draw attention to valuable assets, and posting photos or videos without consent can compromise others' privacy. Technological advances, like facial and voice recognition, further exacerbate these privacy concerns by identifying individuals without their knowledge [19]. * Shared ownership Multimedia data shared on X may relate to multiple users [20; 21]. An illustration of this scenario would be two individuals who are friends attending an event together and subsequently capturing an image together. Subsequently, one of the friends may choose to upload the image to the X platform, without obtaining the consent of the other friend. This may result in the exposure of the other friend's privacy, as the image belongs to both individuals. It is important to note that the preferred privacy settings for multimedia data that pertain to multiple users are determined by a single individual, as opposed to being determined by the intersection of the privacy settings of each individual user, which would be a logical approach [4]. * Manipulation of multimedia content X offers a medium for users to disseminate and access a plethora of multimedia content. However, the veracity and integrity of this content may be compromised by malicious actors who employ various digital tools to manipulate and distort multimedia data. This can lead to the unauthorized alteration of personal images, resulting in potential harm or defamation of legitimate users [18]. * Steganography  
Steganography involves concealing data within other media forms and has gained popularity due to technological advancements. It was discovered that X users employ this technique to hide messages within images, demonstrating its feasibility and low technical complexity. However, this capability can be misused for malicious purposes, such as spreading disinformation and harming the platform's reputation. Innocent users might unknowingly interact with harmful content, risking association with criminal activities. For instance, malicious actors might embed harmful code in an image on X, which is then unknowingly downloaded by users [22]. * Shared links to multimedia content  
The variety of multimedia formats, like JPEG and PNG, complicates creating a universal framework to support them all. Some formats are prone to attacks or require manual verification, such as interactive flash videos. Social media platforms, like X, generally support a limited range of formats; for example, X allows sharing pictures only as JPEG or PNG and does not widely support animated GIFs. Users can share unsupported multimedia by posting links, but this feature can be exploited by malicious actors. They might replace the link's content with harmful material, risking malware installation or confidential information theft for the user [23]. * Metadata  
Metadata on multimedia content, such as identities and locations, are valuable but can expose users to risks.