Social Networking Can Be A Dangerous Thing
I was reading an article today about the dangers of friending anyone on Social Networks like Facebook.
So very true. Here’s a tidbit of what he said:
First, cybercriminals will increasingly leverage personal information on social networking sites to more closely hone their attacks to their targets. This leads to the second trend, which is that the amount of socially engineered spam will skyrocket. Oh, and data breaches will help the cybercriminals.
The latest trend in data security is risk management, which can be equated to, “If I lose that much data, what will it cost me?” Enterprises can then do a calculation of the cost-benefit ratio and figure out whether or not the risk is worthwhile, much as Ford did with the Pinto, that tin can which was a ball of flame waiting to happen.
Then, stock scams will rise. Pump and dump scams will seem like nothing; Avert Labs researchers expect cybercriminals to falsely advertise security vulnerabilities in software or management changes at a public company.. Makes one wonder if the recent, untrue report of Steve Jobs having a heart attack was a scam, doesn’t it?
Lastly, the bad guys will capitalize on users’ desire to protect their PCs by faking security updates. McAfee has seen an increase in malicious software posing as applications from security vendors. Click on them and you’ve just gone on the highway to a very warm place. Source.
I especially liked the comment immediately below the post:
I heard this sound advice at a recent seminar I attended, “Don’t do something on-line that you wouldn’t do in person.” This includes throwing sheep, poking people on Facebook and similar behavior on other social networking sites. This article is another good example that unless you’re Clark Kent and have more than one valuable identity, it’s better to exercise caution.
Amen. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Like Jonah I don’t enjoy preaching the end of the world, but somebody has to raise the alarm. There’s just too much opportunity for abuse by the cyber creeps to not care.
So here’s a tip from your friendly Blog Bloke. Please take all necessary precautions to protect your online identity, unless you intend to enter the FBI Social Networking Witness Protection Program.
Tell them Guido sent you. Ciao!
Filed under: Featured Articles, Miscellaneous Blog Tips, New Media, Security, Social Media
Subscribe here to the Better Blog Tips Newsfeed!
Follow @BLOGBloke on Twitter for Social Media Tips & News!
What Next? Read More Tips From BLOGBloke:
Opinions? (click here to jump to the comments form)
Subscribe to the Better TIPS Newsfeed
What is an rss/xml Newsfeed?
Follow @BLOGBlokeTips on Twitter
Or subscribe by email below:
Video
Be COOL! Grab a Button
Vote for Blog Bloke!.gif){kind=small}
It started with message boards and chat rooms and only gets worse from there my man.
Dennis Edells last blog post…Comment Issue Temporarily Fixed - That’s Where The Good News Ends
[
Reply..]
CommentLuv acting up again.
Dennis Edells last blog post…Comment Issue Temporarily Fixed - That’s Where The Good News Ends
[
Reply..]
As long as we take general precautions, things will not turn so bad.
Shruti
Shrutis last blog post…Spiritual Quotient
[
Reply..]
Prevention is worth a pound of cure they say. Or like I said on another comment:
Nobody wants to believe that it can happen to them. Well it can … and it will. So don’t wait until it’s too late.
[
Reply..]
Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on October 22nd, 2008 6:44 pm:
I am trying to use social media to help build my business but it’s worrying how much info you need to give them… I try and keep my facebook as closed as possible.
[
Reply..]
Nutri, social networks is about keeping in touch with people you know, and for the needy, bumping up their friend count with strangers who will never visit them again.
Starting a blog using Wordpress or Blogger will do more for your business than any social network can. Through blogging, you’ll be able to connect with people without giving any personal information away.
[
Reply..]
I couldn’t agree more.
[
Reply..]
Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on October 30th, 2008 5:24 pm:
“Through blogging, you’ll be able to connect with people without giving any personal information away.”
Talk about bad grammar. Guess it’s time I hit the sack.
[
Reply..]
Ah! The scary internet, blogbloke - its not that bad, and reading some of your other posts, you don’t believe it either!
The reason this is of direct interest to me is that I run a website called WikiWorldBook which is a Global Address Book and People Search engine, where people can be easily found by old friends and colleagues using a search engine like Google and then emailed without having to expose their contact details. In fact all you need to display is a name, at its most basic. Our site also has a social element to it, but it is primarily an address book, with an extremely powerful spam filter, so you don’t get plagued by people you don’t want to hear from.
I really don’t believe the web is that dangerous, if you are as careful as you described above. Online conversations, such as we are having now, are perfectly safe, but if you start giving away personal information like your date of birth or arranging to meet a total stranger in a stange part of town after dark, then that is something completely different.
[
Reply..]
Hi Ben.
It’s like anything else. You have to be sensible with the information you disclose. You have to understand that everything you write is gobbled up by the search engines and the Social Networks. It becomes public information and you can’t take it back.
The problem is a lot of people (especially young people who think they will live forever) have a tendency to throw caution to the wind. I just keep harping so that sooner or later it sinks in.
I like your idea of a global search engine for social networks. I’ve bookmarked it just in case I need to find myself.
[
Reply..]
Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on October 30th, 2008 5:22 pm:
Hi! Sorry for the delay, it’s been just a little hectic at my end.
You are completely right. Anything you say will probably be recorded for posterity - however, again, I don’t think people should get too hung up on it because the amount of content is growing so quickly that the Search Engines are struggling to keep up with how to present this information in their results. At the moment, they are placing a lot of emphasis on “relevance”, which seems to be weighted on many different factors, not least on overall content, click through and how recently it was posted, amongst a myriad of other factors. This means that most people’s information just disappears into the long tail - its there, but its just impossible to find it, unless you have hours on your hands and you know what you are looking for. Emphasis on most!
Thanks for having a look at our site and the bookmark. It sounds like you’ve tried the Advanced People Search!
[
Reply..]
Hi Ben.
I appreciate the fact that you’re in the business of Social Networking but with all due respect I don’t believe white-washing the risk factor is helpful. Every day I’m reporting (either on this this blog or Twitter) news items on social networking nightmares.
The bottom line is personal information is searchable whether it be by your employer, your future wife or by identity thieves, and it will bite you in the butt if you are not careful.
What is helpful is empowering people with information to warn them of the risks, and that is what I try to do. I’m not saying Social Networks aren’t useful, but…
Cheers, and thanks for the comments.
[
Reply..]
Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on November 1st, 2008 1:42 pm:
Hmmmm. I never even thought that other social networkers would even bother to do such things. That’s exactly why I only “add” people I actually know. Those other ones are probably just creepers.
Sly from SlyVisions dot Coms last blog post…Comment King (and Queen) Of October 2008
[
Reply..]
That’s a good point. It’s too bad everybody has to suffer for the rotten apples. So much for networking.
[
Reply..]
Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on November 3rd, 2008 4:25 pm:
And let us not forget all the folks that have been fired because the wrong stuff was on your Myspace or Facebook page.
[
Reply..]
Sorry for the delay, it’s a bit like that at the moment…
Our site is a Global Address Book with People Search – not a social network, as you thought. It enables people to be easily found via a name search on the Search Engines and then contacted by old friends and colleagues - whilst providing little more than a name and without having to reveal their contact details at all. Agreed, there is some networking functionality on the site like blogs and a forum, but these are not used by the vast majority of people on the site and are totally superfluous to the actual operation of the site.
So my views on social networking are rather separate from the business that I am in. I also think using the word whitewash is a little unfair if you read what I have written carefully! The reverse of that would be me calling you paranoid - which would also be unfair
[
Reply..]
Ben — I have read what you said “carefully” and let me clarify that it wasn’t my intention to imply your site is a Social Network per se.
You are however operating in the fringes of the social networking business because your site searches SN sites, and that is what I meant.
So obviously you are going to be a little sensitive to the information in this post. That is only natural.
Neither was it my intention to insult you with the term “whitewash”. Perhaps a better term might have been “minimizing the risks” or “damage control”.
The point is you do have a vested interest in “minimizing” the risks of social networking and that is the point I was trying to make.
I don’t think that’s being “paranoid” or “unfair”.
But we all have a right to our opinions and my readers will make their own conclusions.
Please accept my apologies if my comments seemed offensive to you because that was not my intent.
Thanks for your comments and cheers!
[
Reply..]
Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on November 10th, 2008 6:20 pm:
Thanks for that - I really appreciate you making the effort to explain your comments a little further.
As you say, your readers can make up their own minds - those of them who are in the know will have read it all before, whilst those people not in the know will hopefully have something to dwell on - and thinking carefully about things is always good!
All the best.
[
Reply..]
How true it is. People have no problem posting every bit of information possible online. And then even worse, MySpace and Facebook allow you to make your profile private (for what it’s worth). There is no reason to put so much information on a random website because everyone else is doing it. Having my full name, nicknames, birth date, and photos leaves me open to a number of cyber attacks.
You are pretty much inviting someone to steal your identity…
[
Reply..]
Thanks for dropping by TB. Comments are always welcome here, especially when you agree with me
[
Reply..]
Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on December 13th, 2008 2:48 pm:
The internet can be a double edge sword. You have tons of great information which can leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused and then you have the ability to connect with people all over the world. I love how social sites in particular connect you with like minded people, positive people. But then again we shouldn’t let our guard down while entertaining people that we meet on the internet.
[
Reply..]
We need to be sure we are on the dull end of that sword.
[
Reply..]
Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on December 28th, 2008 1:59 am:
As long as we are careful, things will going to be okay.. Only add people you know and don’t easily trust people you just meet. Anyways, are you aware of this coolest and fastest growing social networking site that helps people achieve goals? Get an invite now an http://www.humanhood.com
Cheers..
[
Reply..]
This is a point that just can’t be overstated - social networking is public. There is a church in my town that has a sign up on the wall - “Remember, Everyone sees what you put on facebook.”
It’s simple and to the point. Facebook is too big and out of control for my tastes so I joined a private social network. Zovue.com really gives you options when it comes to your profile and online photos and online videos and blogs, and etc.
I feel much more secrue that my information is only being seen by people I know and approve on Zovue.com rather than anywhere else online.
[
Reply..]
Thanks Dev! http://bit.ly/2pkIJb
awesome site brotha http://bit.ly/1pXPfp
awesome site brotha http://bit.ly/1jshln
@Gaia Herbs, some look like downtown Las Vegas in the evening. http://bit.ly/2ub7iQ
@Gaia Herbs, some look like downtown Las Vegas in the evening. http://bit.ly/2ub7iQ
@CFI, @hospitalera … my head was spinning when I wrote it
http://bit.ly/1CQix9
RT @BLOGBloke: 10 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Your Blog http://bit.ly/2TRLSx
10 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Your Blog http://bit.ly/2TRLSx
@Humayon, if you are just a blogspot user then you don't need to bother with dns settings. But I still recommend ge… http://bit.ly/1fDYre
@hari saryono, I wrote an article about why we should not play into terrorists hands by linking to these horrific v… http://bit.ly/2aTKBw
@InternetMarketingMentor, here's another analogy for you. Your blog is your permanent home and social networks are … http://bit.ly/4hZtE
Optimize Your Blog - Making Your Blog Search Engine Friendly http://bit.ly/4A9Go5
@Mike, glad you liked it. If you're serious about blogging then Wordpress is the way to go. http://bit.ly/33GQUp
via @BLOGBloke: Hi There! Thanks for following. Why not ask me a question or for more blog tips visit http://tinyurl.com/5zjajb. Cheers!
@Michelle, you do not need a subdomain for it to work. A subdomain is also a bad idea for SEO. You need to go over … http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE
@Justin Gill .. thanks for saying so Justin. It always feels great to hear from another happy customer.
Cheers! http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE
blog hating at http://www.blogbloke.com/10-reasons-why-i-dont-like-your-blog was just pinged to 91 Services!
@Kay, I never thought of it that way http://bit.ly/1CQix9
@humglum http://www.blogbloke.com/moving-wordpress-blogger/ basically… no. doesnt look like it'll happen.
@BLOGBloke,
I decided to get rid of the Blogger redirect as the redirect via modification to .htaccess works, t… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE
@Michelle, redirect speeds will depend on the blog host's servers and your internet connection. You only need to pa… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE
@drugi, you mean "you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you… http://bit.ly/4CvJh7
Finding Your Blog Voice http://bit.ly/5LD5kQ
@zarazek, don't get your domains through Wordpress. Use GoDaddy or something similar. http://bit.ly/1fDYre
Saw an advertisement for Moving Blogger to Wordpress Service. Why not save your money and read my free guide? http://bit.ly/6rFYFE They do
hmm.. informative )) http://bit.ly/6krJX6
I should notify my girlfriend about your post. http://bit.ly/6iqFfC
hello everybody, how are you all doing.i am liking this web sight i might start staying on it more. me i stay sick … http://bit.ly/6krJX6
@Cdathy Tibbles, I host images on my wordpress.com account. Let me know it goes. I always like to hear from happy c… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE
@BLOGBloke, Yeh, I had a domain from a different comapny but Wordpress said I still had pay them to be able to link… http://bit.ly/1fDYre
@zarazek, so if I understand you correctly your blog was being hosted by Wordpress and then they insisted on chargi… http://bit.ly/1fDYre
I'm very happy with the refinements I made to the blog. What do you think? http://www.blogbloke.com/
How to Produce Your Own Podcast http://ff.im/-dm32o
"10 Reasons Why Twitter Is So Popular" ( http://bit.ly/8CM5gX )
Updated my Blokester Buttons for 2010. Grab yours now .. http://www.blogbloke.com/introducing-new-blokester-buttons/
How to Make Professional Podcast Videos for Your Blog (Vlog) http://bit.ly/7EHvN8
RT @projournalist: How to Make Professional Podcast Videos for Your Blog (Vlog) http://bit.ly/7EHvN8
RT @journtoolbox RT @projournalist: How to Make Professional Podcast Videos for Your Blog (Vlog) http://bit.ly/7EHvN8
@BLOGBloke - really ok - am trying to pull off this from your blog http://bit.ly/5Zv5kW (thank you so much for documenting this - it rocks)
@BLOGBloke - do you think I could use this service to redirect or park my domain like you mentioned in http://bit.ly/5Zv5kW
Great tutorial on migrating your blog from #blogger to #wordpress. http://bit.ly/Nlr2k
@10timesone .. have you read this http://www.blogbloke.com/migrating-redirecting-blogger-wordpress-htaccess-apache-best-method/
@FijiLomalagi my email is at the bottom of my blog http://www.blogbloke.com/
@Kwame, you will have to play around with the Apache code .. http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE
@Ankit_A see if this helps.. http://bit.ly/Nlr2k
@drewmillikin My technical skills are limited, but I found this post to be very helpful: http://bit.ly/7LY764. My advice: pull the trigger.
@Adam Johnson .. it was my pleasure and glad it worked for you .. http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE