Social Networking: Life Via the Computer, A Sign of the Times
Posted: Saturday, February 12, 2011
by Linda LaVoire
(the following definition is from Wikipedia)
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called "nodes", which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency , such as friendship , kinship , common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships , or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige .
I have discovered that social networking has opened up a whole new world for cyber-crime. With more and more people who are new to this technology (like me), it is so important to know the dangers involved with this aspect of our computer-ruled world.
Let's look at the dangers involved with children using this technology. Children under the age of 13 should not be using internet technology at all without adult supervision! Most social networking sites have age restrictions that do not allow young children to create profiles, but it is really simple to fool these systems. Parents who help their children set up accounts need to make sure they are not providing too much personal information on their pages, such as their address, phone numbers or even the names of the schools they attend. It's very simple for children to fake their ages online and create their own accounts and just as simple for predators to claim to be the same age as a child. They can profess to have the same interests as the child and thus lure them in to a potentially dangerous situation. Parents, the safest thing to do is to make sure that your children are supervised while using their computers. Set up their computers in common areas of your home, like your living room or family room, so that someone can keep an eye on them at all times.
Now let's discuss the term "phishing". This term is used to describe scammers who try to steal your personal information and use it. Identity theft and fraud are a couple of the crimes committed by these scammers. We've all heard of these and how devastating they can be on the unsuspecting victims lives. People who steal your identity do so, for the most part, to obtain material possessions or credit cards and then, of course, never make any payments. This leaves your credit ruined and often causes victims to lose everything. Also included in the "phishing" category are websites set up to mimic your favorite social networking site in order to steal your password. When a scammer such as this gets your password, they can use it to destroy your profile, send out spam messages or even viruses! This could ruin your online reputation. Log-in sites on your real social network will never ask you for your password. If you receive a message asking you for it, DO NOT reply and immediately report it to the network's support or privacy department. One simple way to prevent this from happening is to double check the address bar and make sure you're in the right place before you try to log in.
These are just a couple of the potential dangers involved with social networking but there are many others. If you're like me and don't have a clue, do some research. Learn as much as you can. Inform yourselves. Lessen the likelihood of becoming a victim. I think of it as putting on a suit of armor. Prepare yourself to be victorious in this battle!
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Good article and good advice Linda. I have been on, and off, Facebook now for several months and I worry about it a lot. From what I read, it is best to avoid the various clubs and groups that so many start and invite you to join, especially if you need to put any personal information into them. I suppose most of my "friends" think I am just "unfriendly". Not so, I just need my identity stolen like I need a hole in the head.
DaddyAbsolutely! I agree 100%. I've taken steps to protect myself and I'm really glad I did this research. I'm thinking about writing a series of articles on this subject because there are so many dangers involved in social networking. I couldn't include them all in my first article... I just didn't have the time. Thanks for reading it and commenting daddy. (and thanks for the 5 stars) I love you.
This is very wise advice, Linda. The internet is a perfect playground for scammers and criminals. But if we're watchful and careful we don't have to become their victims.Hi Jen! Thanks for reading and commenting on my article. I'm glad you found it informative. I'm continuing my research on this subject and intend to write more indepth articles. Talk to you later, girl. ;-)
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