Most of the risks of social networking fall into one of the following categories, which I call the 7 Hazards of Social Networking:
1. Impersonation. Does the social networking account (e.g., Twitter Account) belong to the actual person or company it is representing? For example, if you look at the Twitter account@johnsileo, you will see that my name is used to send business to a gentleman who is also an identity theft speaker. My actual account is @john_sileo. Whether this is considered social networking squatting or social networking identity theft, it’s impersonation.
2. Ownership. Who owns the data on the social networking sites’ servers? Do you own what you post on Facebook, what you email through GoogleMail or the financials you backup off-site on someone else’s servers? The fact that you don’t know should trouble you as much as it does me.
3. Breach. How is your social networking site protecting your profile and posting data? Are they susceptible to bots like ZombieSmiles that allow hackers into your Facebook profile through Facebook’s own client interface? Is it easy for a hacker to post something or appeal to your friends as if the hacker is actually you (account takeover impersonation)?
4. Fraud. Social networking is based in relationships of trust. You trust the people you befriend. Unfortunately, some studies suggest that 25% of the users accept friend requests from total strangers. This, along with account takeover impersonation, opens you up to “friend in distress” scams, information gathering and other forms of social networking fraud.
5. Disclosure. We are far bolder and far less discretionary with what we share online versus what we share in person. This means we risk giving out information that, given a second thought, we didn’t want to. Think of the New York Times reporters who tweeted about a closed-door meeting where they discussed charging for online content.
6. Human Error. Have you ever hit the button on an email that was meant to go to someone else? The same phenomenon happens on social networking sites, but the damage is exponential because of the medium – you might have just sent it to hundreds or thousands of followers or friends. I call this phenomenon Tweet Breach.
7. Underestimation. Because social networking started out as a personal application and still has the flavor of being controlled by individuals (as opposed to corporations), we often underestimate the sheer destruction caused by mishandling this tool. I believe that this is what happened to the military. They originally underestimated the data leakage taking place in the social networking sphere and have since, wisely, begun to rethink their strategy.
Until we recognize that anything posted on the internet (especially if social networking is involved) is Public, Permanent and Admissible in court, we will continue to underestimate the hazards of social networking.
About the author: John Sileo became America’s leading Identity Theft Speaker & Expert after he lost his business and more than $300,000 to identity theft and data breach. His clients include the Department of Defense, Pfizer and the FDIC. To further bulletproof yourself and your business, visit John’s blog at Sileo.com and receive a free white-paper: Privacy Means Profit: Safe Data = Profitable Data.
This is a great entry, and it raises many interesting questions.
As a woman who is feeling her way around the social networking field, at this time I choose to remain invisible for many reasons, which both allows me freedom (which I cherish) and security, though for many it may be suspicious.
Some information about me could be had by anyone who really wanted to find it; probably the people I am most concerned about would be able to find information, but I don't think anyone is that interested.
Public figures, like celebrities and the Chopra's are both more immune and more vulnerable to security issues; high profile people get more love and more hate, as it were. Those of us who no one gives a squat about are on our own.
What I do find more compelling, however, is how open so many are with their personal information. I try to put myself out there as best as I am able, though somewhat concealed, while other individuals post their pictures, bio, and such with nary a thought as to personal security.
Even more interesting, is that I've observed that people are surprised that open registration forums, such as Intent, might be visited by people with less than honorable intentions, no allusion intended.
There is a proverb in the New Testament, "Be as wise as serpents and as innocent as lambs."
I'm seeing a lot of well intentioned (allusion intended) lambs who are mystified for reasons they ought not be, and it serves only to divert their attention . . .
being baffled by duplicity serves no one, rather we should all live with common sense while following our better angels.
JMO
BTW — completely disagree with your recommendations for the DOD, but so be it.
Beauty is subjective, especially when looking at cars. A Mercedes SLR or Porsche 911 Carrera GT3 would certainly win many automotive beauty contests–and most people would agree. After all, sales of the $495,000 SLR held steady last month, while the $112,200 GT3 gained 17.8% over the same period in 2008.
But for anyone who thinks those cars represent all that's beautiful in the world, others think they look anemic or angular. So what constitutes true beauty?
World's Most Beautiful Cars:
http://liujiaoourhealth.blogspot.com/2009/07/worl…
dear john,
thanks for this invaluable post. its really, really priceless.
this identity theft varies from person to person.. i have met people who brag that the websites of other people as theirs to the more dangerous ones like yours. hope you soon get a good solution.
any well informed person knows internet can be a boon and curse.. better keep the beast in chains.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha