5 Tips To Stay Safe On Social Networks
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. In the past I have been pretty open on my Facebook page, although there is a stark difference between being open and being stupid. Here are 5 ways to safeguard yourself and your identity.
1. Keep Private Info Private
Individuals Everyone doesn’t need to know your individual information. Never write down your social security number, address, and phone number out there. Only give it to people you know personally. Also, be discriminatory 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 actual name. And don’t tweet where you’re going because that makes you easy to follow or even break into your house.
2. Beware of Strangers
Although this might seem a little basic, there’s nothing wrong with a review 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. Strange Behavior
If friends on social sites seem to be acting weird, don’t take gifts from them or open their messages. Someone may have hacked into their system so who you thought was a friend really isn’t. So, if you have a friend pushing “mozzarella cheese is the best” but you know they’re a vegan. Then it’s probably a sign that you shouldn’t click on the URL. It could be a malicious program that will mess up your computer software.
4. Condensed URLs
A number of 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 capability 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 Privacy Options
All of these social media tools allow you to modify your private security settings to a particular point. Make sure that you evaluate and adjust them to the highest privacy setting they allow. However, don’t set the settings so high that the tools don’t work properly. Many of these settings are not the default so make sure that you change them so some random visitor 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 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, develop existing relationships, and at the same time make new friends. Just be alert about what information you are putting up there, and take into account these 5 tips in order 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 courses, online education, and the college experience.
Tags: Computers, Internet, Safety, Social Sites, Web
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