5 Tips To Stay Safe On Social Networks
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
For most of us on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other social sites we aren’t too concerned about safety. Well maltreatment, pedophiles, stalking, and other crimes are now a concern social networkers should have. In the past I have been pretty open on my Facebook page, although there is a total difference between being open and being stupid. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself and your identity.
1. Keep Personal Info Private
Individuals don’t need to know your personal information. Never put your social security number, address, and phone number out there. Only give it to people you know personally. Also, be choosy about the people you add. You never know who may turn out to be a hacker, stalker, or someone trying to steal your identity. Also consider using a user name that isn’t your real name. And don’t tweet where you are because that makes you easy to follow or even break into your house.
2. Be careful of Strangers
Although this might seem a little basic, there’s nothing wrong with a reminder course. Some people that might seem like friends could actually be spammers that just want to hijack your account. Or they could just want to get traffic to their links. If you aren’t acquainted with them, and your friends don’t know them, don’t add them.
3. Curious Behavior
If friends on social sites seem to be acting strange, don’t receive gifts from them or open their messages. 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 nasty program that will mess up your computer.
4. Shortened URLs
Some URLs for web site addresses are really long and consequently by using tools like bit.ly you can have a link with a shortened URL. While these may be handy, they can also allow scammers and spammers the power 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 go there.
5. Understand your Personal Options
All of these social media tools allow you to adjust your private security settings to a specific point. Make sure that you review and regulate 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 modify them so some random visitor can’t find your data through the search engine. If you dislike or are worried about some of the privacy settings on the site, then don’t use it. Look for a new site that meets your privacy protection standards. Frequently examine and upgrade 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 cautious about what information you are putting up there, and take into account these 5 ways to keep yourself and your identity secure.
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.



