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External Links:

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Your Security on Social Networking Sites

Q: What are the major risks involved with being a member of an online community at sites such as Facebook or MySpace, or posting a video on YouTube?

A: Participation on a social networking site can expose you to the risk of identity theft, computer viruses and spyware, fraud and sexual predators. An inappropriate or misinterpreted comment or video can also come back to haunt you if it’s seen by people you didn’t intend to see it like your parents, a prospective employer or law enforcement officials.

Q: What can I do to reduce my risks?

A:  Consider these tips for socially safely online:

• Think about how different sites work before deciding to join a site. Some sites like Facebook allow only a defined community of users to access posted content; others allow anyone to view postings.
• Think about keeping some control over the information you post. Restrict access to your page to a select group of people – your friends from school, your club, your team, etc.
• Keep your information to yourself. Don’t post your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, or bank and credit card account numbers — and don’t post other people’s information, either.
• Remember that even if the site restricts access to a specific community, there are always ways around those restrictions. Post only information that you are comfortable with others seeing — and knowing — about you. Many people can potentially see your page, including your parents, your teachers, the police, the grad school you might want to apply to next year, or the job you might want to apply for in five years.
• Consider not posting your photo. It can be altered and broadcast in ways you may not be happy about. If you do post one, ask yourself whether it’s one your mom would display in the living room.
• When you visit the site, make sure that your firewall, anti-spyware and anti-virus software and operating system security updates are current and working.
• Don’t accept file transfers from or click on links provided by anyone you don’t know and trust.

Q: Where can I get more information about the risks of social networking?

A: Additional information can be found at the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team’s and the Federal Trade Commission’s Web sites, or call the Northern Colorado Technical Support Center at 351-4357.