Web surfing is no longer a solo affair. Ever since the birth of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, the entire online culture has changed dramatically by making the internet more personalized and virtually making it part of your lifestyle. And with it, comes a whole new array of potential security threats that all of us should be aware of.
Social networking is built on the concept of sharing information “openly” and fostering a sense of community. Even though this is a good cause, unfortunately an online network of individuals actively sharing their experiences and seeking connections with other like-minded people can be easy prey for hackers who would take advantage of that openness.
Here are some tips to keep you protected.
Remember the
audience
With services like Twitter, or the recent changes to Facebook that allow anyone to view and search updates, you really have no way to hide. So be mindful of who will be reading your information.
More and more these days, we hear stories of people who have forgotten that their boss is part of their network and have said things online that have gotten them fired!
Quizzes loop hole
For many users, the attraction of Facebook lies with the endless selection of games and quizzes. Part of the lure of the games and quizzes is the social aspect. In games, friends can compete against one another, through the quizzes, you can learn more about your friends while being entertained.
The permission page clearly tells the user up front that allowing “access will let the application pull your profile information, photos, your friends info and other content that it require to work.” But why would a game or a quiz need your friends information to work?
Control what you can
Since Facebook is a social networking site designed for sharing information, many of the settings are open by “default.” It is up to you to access the “Privacy Settings” and configure the options as you see fit.
For each of the available settings, you can choose to share information with everyone, my networks and friends, friends of friends, or just friends. If you require further fine tuning of the access, you can do so from this tab.
This is not an attempt to kill the fun of social networks. It can truly be a wonderful way to meet new people and foster new communities. This is merely to do everything that you want in the safest possible way. Happy Facebook’ing! |
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