Facebook and your security

Quadophile

Quadophile

Hon. Acoustical Engineer
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I was reading this article which I came across today and was wondering how many here on the forum were aware of the risks.

I remember creating the account on Facebook in the early stages almost 4-5 years ago? When I got the invitation. I never actually used that account but later I found out I had one active when recently I started getting friend invites. I did not want to be part of it as I considered it a total waste of time. I certainly have better things to do at this stage of my life. Needless to say I deleted my account promptly and never went back even though I was bombarded with Facebook messages to get me to login again.

Anyway I thought I'd post it here for the general information of all. I respect those who decide to continue to use the Facebook website with an account.

Five hidden dangers of Facebook
 
Friends made a big thing of it about 2 years ago & i signed up for it.
Hardly ever use it these days, but do have friends that live on it 24/7!
I prefer forums like this or the odd msn messenger video link up.
 
Not according to Joan Goodchild, senior editor of CSO (Chief Security Officer) Online.

She says your privacy may be at far greater risk of being violated than you know, when you log onto the social-networking site, due to security gaffes or marketing efforts by the company.
Click to expand...

Possibly true but let's look a little deeper.

First question is 'Who is Joan Goodchild and just what is the company CSO Online?'

Credentials sound impressive don't they but I've been calling myself Managing director, Head Of Research, Senior Accountant, Chief Cook & Bottle washer and even Chief Security Officer for years and it don't mean diddly squat.

Next note the use of the words 'may be' which I've highlighted in the quote above.

Then ask yourself what ulterior motives people may have for writing such a story. The best interests of Facebook users, sensationalist scaremongering tabloid style journalism or perhaps even a cunningly disguised swipe by one or more social networking rivals. You decide.

Facebook has been an astounding success and attracts scams, scare stories, frauds and many assorted loonies on a daily basis. It's targeted as much as another success story, Microsofts' Windows.

I am neither defending Microsoft (the company sucks) or Facebook (it's flawed and 60% of it's users are morons, including me) merely pointing out the other side of the page.

Just about anything online is open to security threats, Facebook is no exception.

Me, I don't give a rat's hindquarters about the risk, you want to read my personal stuff, look at my pix and spam me for Viagra? You sad tossers, help yourself, lol

I do like Mailwasher and Google Mail's spam filter.

I quite like Facebook, it's nothing special, I usually spend five minutes a day at most on it, longer if there's lots of pix been posted by friends.

Don't expect stories like the one referenced above to be the last of it's ilk.
 
Here's my view.
I have used Facebook pretty much since it came about. For me it is pretty handy having family all around the world.
I have setup my Facebook acoount so everything is private. I only add people I actually know. Simple as that.

As for the 5 points they list in your link
1. Your information is been shared with 3rd parties
2. Privacy settings revert back to a less safe default mode after each redesign
 3. Facebook ads may contain malware
4. Your real friends unknowingly make you vulnerable
5. Scammers are creating fake profiles


My veiw on those 5 points

1. if you read the Facebook Privacy Policy it pretty much tells you that they ocasionally need to send "General informatio" which according to Facebook is just age, sex and location.
2. I''d say with any sort of site like FAcebook or any site you have to logon to or have security settings, it's a good idea to check the often. I check mine every week.
3. Isn't there a chance of malware in any adds on any site you might visit ?
4. yes your friends might unknowingly share your info with 3rd parties, bt they are usually the ones that just click away and don't read anything, and again this info is only age, sex and location.
5. As for the scammers. well don't they do that on just about every site they go on ? You could call the spammers that pop up on PCR scammers. After all they create fake profiles to get across what they want.

At the end of the day. Add only those you know. Stay away from applications. And keep everything you show on FAcebook to a minimum. :)


 
I love healthy debates and that is what I got on the thread, thanks folks for the great input it is appreciated
nod.gif
 
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