Everything Matters
For most of us on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other social sites we aren’t too worried about safety. Well bullying, pedophiles, stalking, and other crimes are now a concern social networkers should have. Some time ago I have been pretty open on my Facebook page, although there is a stark difference between being open and being brainless. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself and your identity.
1. Keep Personal Info Secret
People don’t need to know your personal information. Never put your social security number, address, and phone number out there. Only give it to people you know in person. Also, be careful about the people you add. You never know who may turn out to be a hacker, stalker, or someone trying to take your identity. Also consider using a user name that isn’t your real name. And don’t tweet where you’re going because that makes you easy to follow or even break into your house.
2. Be wary of Strangers
Although this might seem a little elementary, there’s nothing wrong with a refresher course. Some individuals that might seem like friends could actually be spammers that just want to hijack your account. Or they may just want to get traffic to their links. If you don’t know them, and your friends don’t know who they are, don’t add them.
3. Odd Behavior
If friends on social sites seem to be acting odd, don’t accept gifts from them or open their messages. may have hacked into their system so who you thought was a friend really isn’t. So, if you have a friend pushing “havarti cheese is the best” but you know they’re a vegan. Then it’s probably a signal that you shouldn’t click on the URL. It could be a malicious program that will mess up your computer.
4. Shortened URLs
A number of URLs for web site addresses are really long and consequently by using tools like bit.ly you can have a link with a shortened URL. While these may be handy, they can also allow scammers and spammers the power to hide where you are actually going. If it’s possible make sure to preview the URL prior to going on it. An easy rule is that if you can’t make out where the link is going, don’t click on it.
5. Understand your Secrecy Options
All of these social media tools allow you to alter your private security settings to a specific point. Make sure that you review and adjust them to the highest privacy setting they allow. However, don’t set the settings so great that the tools don’t work correctly. Many of these settings are not the default so make sure that you alter them so some random stranger can’t find your data through the search engine. If you dislike or are concerned about some of the privacy settings on the site, then don’t use it. Look for another site that meets your privacy protection standards. Regularly examine and improve your browser privacy settings.
Social sites can be great. You can reconnect with old friends, improve existing relationships, and at the same time make new friends. Just be cautious about what information you are putting up there, and take into account these 5 ways to keep yourself and your identity secure.
About the author:
Diane Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. She likes to write about the news, politics, college degrees, online education, and the college experience.
Tags: Computers, Internet, safety, Social Sites, web
Posted in Internet · March 5th, 2010 · Comments (0)
For most of us on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other social sites we aren’t too concerned about safety. Well harassment, pedophiles, stalking, and other crimes are now a priority social networkers should have. Formerly I have been pretty open on my Facebook page, although there is a stark difference between being open and being unwise. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself and your identity.
1. Keep Private Info Private
Individuals Everyone doesn’t need to know your private information. Never put your social security number, address, and phone number out there. Only give it to people you know in person. Also, be selective about the people you add. You never know who may turn out to be a hacker, stalker, or someone trying to take your identity. Also consider using a user name that isn’t your real name. And don’t tweet where you are because that makes you easy to follow or even break into your house.
2. Be cautious of Strangers
Although this might seem a little elementary, there’s nothing wrong with a review course. Some people that might seem like friends could in fact be spammers that just want to hijack your account. Or they could just want to get traffic to their links. If you aren’t acquainted with them, and your friends don’t know them, don’t add them.
3. Odd Behavior
If friends on social sites seem to be acting out of the ordinary, don’t receive gifts from them or open their messages. may have hacked into their system so who you thought was a friend really isn’t. So, if you have a friend pushing “havarti cheese is the best” but you know they’re a vegan. Then it’s probably a signal that you shouldn’t click on the URL. It could be a nasty program that will mess up your computer.
4. Shortened URLs
Several URLs for web site addresses are really long and as a result by using tools like bit.ly you can have a link with a shortened URL. While these may be useful, they can also allow scammers and spammers the ability to hide where you are actually going. If it’s possible make sure to preview the URL prior to going on it. An easy rule is that if you can’t observe where the link is going, don’t click on it.
5. Understand your Personal Options
All of these social media tools allow you to regulate your security settings to a certain point. Make sure that you evaluate and regulate them to the highest privacy setting they allow. However, don’t set the settings so great that the tools don’t work right. Many of these settings are not the default so make sure that you alter them so some random guest can’t find your information through the search engine. If you don’t like or are nervous about some of the privacy settings on the site, then don’t use it. Look for a new site that meets your privacy protection standards. Frequently examine and raise your browser privacy settings.
Social sites can be awesome. You can reconnect with old friends, develop existing relationships, and also make new friends. Just be alert about what information you are putting up there, and take into account these 5 ways to keep yourself and your identity safe and sound.
About the author:
Diane Johnson earned a bachelor?s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. She likes to write about the news, politics, college classes, online education, and the college experience.
Tags: Computers, Internet, safety, Social Sites, web
Posted in Internet · February 12th, 2010 · Comments (0)