The chart by Barracuda Networks shows the problems that users most experience as a result of joining social networks. Although, this may seem scary and overwhelming, the things you can do to protect yourself is quite simple.You can begin by creating a Professional identity. Create a new email address and new accounts for every site you wish to be apart of. This will allow you to start fresh and know that you haven't yet entered compromising data into these site. Then ensure you do control the information that goes into these sites. Keep it limited to your email address and PO box if mail is necessary. If you have to send a phone number make sure you are not publishing the number for all to see and you that you trust the recipient of the number.
Secondly, don't fall victim to phishing scams. Identity thieves will send emails or messages within social media sites that look and seem official. These messages are intended to trick you into sending your information back to them. These scams are easily bypassed if you know what to look for. These emails and messages are rarely if every sent by an actual company. Its always a good idea to not click any links inside these messages, even if they are official. I go straight to the site and log in as normal.
Lastly, I like to start fresh whenever I switch from doing anything person to anything professional. I usually reboot my computer, log-in under a different account and ensure I write everything carefully and with much thought.
With all of the technology available it is becoming easier and easier for thieves to steal identities. And once it is stolen, your professional and financial lives can be destroyed. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves and ensure we can coexist in this social, online world.
The chart in your article is very impressive to me. Everybody has received tons of spam emails every day, part of them are coming because their personal online information on some social network websites have been stolen or wrongly used. The three approaches as you suggested for protecting our network security are very useful. And I totally agree with your on that to protect our online information in safe is not only for good of ourselves, but also a responsibility to the whole online society, since we are tightly connected to each other by the network.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteTidy and impressive introduction about social network! I think almost every people knows what Facebook is. But few people will notice the pointer part. And you make a good introduction about it.
I like the skills in your point of view. People have a lot of thinkings about how to protect ourselves from these common, annoying problems and most of these ideas are useless. However, I think your ideas are very useful because they are came up with the very original things that we need on the internet such like security, identity. Besides, the chart in your post is very good for warning readers and make them pay more attentions to these problems.