This post is part of the Blogging Tips 101 Contest.
Social networks like Facebook ®, MySpace ®, Twitter ® etc. offer services that people use to interact and share information like photos, videos and personal messages. To the extent that these sites grow they also increase the risks.
Hackers, spammers, identity thieves and other criminals keep track of traffic on these networks. The following recommendations can help protect yourself when using social networks:
- Be cautious when giving a click on a link within the message you receive, even from friends. The links in these messages as well as those received in email need to be analyzed to ensure its legitimacy.
- Be aware of what has been published about himself. A common way by which hackers gain financial or other accounts is through the link “Forgot your Password?”. To access your account they look for the answers to security questions, such as your birthday, the city of his birth, his mother’s middle name, etc.. If the site allows it is better to create these questions yourself and not be content that anyone can easily ascertain.
- Do not trust that the message. Do not believe really in who s/he says s/he is. Hackers are specialists in simulating the content and appearance of messages and make them look as if they were friends. If you think about the legitimacy of a message, use an alternate way to contact your friend and find out if they really sent it. These include invitations to join a network or be a member of your network!
- Avoid sharing your email with friends, avoid social networks have access to your contacts directory. When you join a social network, you may receive a request to use your email and password to locate potential friends of his in that network. The social network will use your email to find out if your friends are in the social network and invite them to connect to an apparent “you”. Carefully read the terms and conditions of the social network to better understand and manage the data you share.
- Be selective in accepting friends on your social network. Identity thieves create fake profiles to get information for fraudulent use! So I recommend don’t accept friend request from any stranger or someone outside of your friend network.
- Choose your social network carefully. Evaluate the site and read very well the same privacy policy and fully understand its content. Always use the same criteria as used in a shopping site that shares your credit card. Read everything, understand everything and question everything to be absolutely sure of the legitimacy and seriousness of the site or social network.
- You should always assume that what you post on a site will remain there forever. While it may delete your account, others can always download and save photos, videos and other information ever published.
- Take extra caution when installing Apps on your social network. Many social networks allow you to install third party applications that add social functionality to your account. Generally to install these, you must authorize access to your account. Many criminals are creating applications and fun apparently well-intended, when their real interest is to get your information.While networks like Facebook ® have a process for posting and sharing these applications, we always don’t know with certainty who is physically behind them. Treat those apps with caution and investigate everything about them.
- Think through how you use social networks at work. In addition to corporate policies on this subject can not only be compromising their own information but also of the company.
- Talk to your kids about social networking, its dangers and how they can be caught. If you have children, take the time to talk to them about their activities and how they are spending time on social networks. Also ask and find out what information they are sharing in them those who accept them as friends and where they are known.
With these simple guidelines can increase your safety when involved in these social environments of rapid growth. Do not forget, the privacy of your information and your life are something you do not wish to share with anyone.
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AmrikVirdi writes at Tech Moody which is the place to learn about all the latest top ten software, electronics, web services, mobiles, video games etc. Visit Tech Moody today.
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Amrik
this is such a great post, because safety is everything especially on social media we need to protect ourself and our reputation and name. Great tips
Thank you for reading my article.
Great tips. This has come at a good time for your readers as Facebook Timeline becomes compulsory for every user next month. Its been on the news that everyones private information will become public but if people follow your tips and be careful, it shouldn’t be a problem. Also, if you adjust your security settings accordingly then you don’t have to worry about anything on the new timeline at all!
You are correct.
Clara says
I guess one of the reasons I don’t use social media more is I feel it’s a bit intrusive. Your tips are good for those of us who need to make use of it more.
Yes we often use social media to promote our business and create useful community.
Hi Amrik,
this is really one of the main issue of today life, when there are most of us use social networking for every single thing. We have beware of this. and you give here quite good tips to avoid these situations.
Nice article, thanks for sharing it.
You are welcome. Stay tune for more tips on my blog
The rampant use of Internet has given rise to security concerns. Hackers are always working with the intention of hacking big and famous sites. Inbox is always crowded with more spams than useful mails. So we should be alert and keep ourselves from falling prey to these hackers. A well covered topic!
Yes, you are right. That is why I have written this article to make aware of those type of situation.
Great share Amrik
Agree with you, with the increase in the activity of hackers on popular SNS (especially facebook), its not safe to blindly click on any link received in the messages and/or stream
Glad you understand my concept.
In any case, first of all we should think about safety of our personal information. This is the main message of all the tips mentioned above
Yes you are right. We can negotiate with our privacy.
Yes you are right. We can’t negotiate with our privacy. (Sorry for the typo.)
Using social media sites also needs precautions. there are a lot of scams and violators on it. I suggest just follow or add people that you know. and ignore those people who you do not know. Safety first rather than ending up in a trouble.
It’s is best to tight your security and privacy first.
Oh yes! I forgot! Thanks for reminding me!
I don’t add anyone, now. I have more than 120 request on my Facebook. Very true about, “clicking on the links on social networks”. In the tricks, used by spammers to spread there spammy messages all over the world, friends are targeted more. Because users will easily believe if they get a message from his/her friend.
Thanks for reading it.
Great post Amrik. Thanks for sharing with us.
You are welcome and glad you read my each guest post on different blogs.
Amrik, it is getting very risky to survive in the social networks. The antisocial elements are invading in privacy and to degrading user experience of these wonderful concepts. Thanks for the warnings and a wake up post.
You are welcome and glad you found this useful.
Such a good post Amrik that helps reader and internet users understand the importance of using web. Many don’t have an idea about apps. Well shared information
Thanks Amrik for sharing these tips.
This is actually one of the real issues of these days lifestyle, because we used to have public media even a simple work. I think your suggestions are fantastic for those of us who need to create use of it more.
It looks like facebook is the top social networking site for almost all the countries. Have you heard about YoHolla, it is believed to combine all the best features of twitter, facebook, and youtube all in one. All of the YoHolla Reviews cause me to predict that YoHolla will soon be the next top social networking site.
I’d also recommend not using your real birthday on your profile, since so many important financial services are based on your birthday. Just change the year or day by a digit or two and your friends will still wish you happy birthday at the right time.