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Today, two out of three Web users visit social networking sites. And why not? Social networking sites are a fun way to keep in touch and share content with friends and family, connect with people over a common interest, or even find a new job. Many online shopping sites have joined the bandwagon and offer social shopping services, allowing you to set up a profile and share personal recommendations.
However, it’s important to remember that untrustworthy individuals may also be members of your favorite social networking sites. Here are some tips for staying safe:
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- Use privacy settings to restrict who can see your profile and thus the majority of your information. Note that the default setting on most social networks is public display. See how to change this on your social networking site of choice.
- Avoid sharing personal information, like your phone number, street address, or account information. Some experts even suggest avoiding use of your full name.
- Remember that content and photos on your profile, even if protected, may be seen by friends, family, classmates, strangers, coworkers, bosses, or potential employers. Post only what you’re comfortable with everyone seeing.
- If you encounter someone on a social network who seems threatening or suspicious, report that person to the Web site immediately.
- Remember that once you post an item—a photo, for instance—it can’t be truly removed. Even if you delete the image, it may have already been downloaded or saved to another user’s computer.
- Be aware of which social networking sites your children use and whom they’re interacting with.
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Many of the same rules for social networks apply on dating sites, like Match.com™, eHarmony®, and countless others. Remember to keep your private information private—rely on the anonymity of your screen name until you’re absolutely certain that your suitor is trustworthy. Consider opening a separate email account for use with your dating profile for added privacy. Avoid linking to other personal Web sites or profiles you might have elsewhere on the Internet—these sites may contain personal information that you’re not ready to share with potential matches.
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Blogging is another fun social component of the Web. People have started hundreds of millions of blogs2 about countless topics. If you blog, keep in mind exactly what you’re sharing with the world. Consider many of the points above. Many blogging platforms (like Blogger™, WordPress®, Tumblr®, TypePad, and LiveJournal™) enable you to lock your blog and invite specific people to read your site.
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An easy way to protect your identity online without sacrificing the fun of social networks or other sites is to use VeriSign Labs Personal Identity Portal.
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- Be sure to set up a password, or Web key, for your home wireless network. Instructions on how to do so are generally included with your wireless router. Only give the password to those you trust.
- Avoid buying things or checking bank and investment Web sites while using a public Wi-Fi network. You may be on an evil twin network and not realize it. If you are, the evil twin network will have access to everything you access.
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