Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Video Post: "Social Networking Creates Privacy Concerns"


Click Here To View Video
 

This newscast discusses some of ways that over sharing online can be hazardous to your financial health, and even your safety.

Status updates and the "Check-in" craze often lead to people posted up-to-the-minute details about where they are during the day. If one of your "friends" or "followers" sees that you are at the library, the mall, or the movies, then they know that you are definitely not at home guarding your stuff. You may think this warning is unnecessary because your friends would (ideally) never rob you, but what about a friend of a friend? Or a stranger posing as a friend?

As mentioned in the news clip, posting your birth date and location may lead to someone finding out your Social Security number. How? Social Security numbers were randomized only recently. The vast majority of numbers were given based on a system of where and when you were born. So, someone with enough know-how could take your birth date and your hometown (since many people stay in the same town they were born) and figure out your number. Your Social Security number is a scammer's ticket to credit cards and loans in your name. 

READERS, what do you think?  

Why do people give out their address, birth date, and other information online?


References

Fact Sheet 35: Social networking privacy: How to be safe, secure, and social. (2012, August). Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Retrieved September 11, 2012, from https://www.privacyrights.org/social-networking-privacy#public

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