[BITList] Watch out! Online identity predators on the prowl

[FS]

*Watch out! Online identity predators on the prowl*
Love it or hate it, social networking is here to stay. With recent 
studies 
<http://www.lostremote.com/2010/01/20/adult-social-media-use-hits-new-highs/> 
showing that one in three adults post to sites like Facebook and Twitter 
each week, it's clear that we're now part of the Web 2.0 generation.

Social networking <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_networking> sites 
like Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/>, MySpace 
<http://www.myspace.com/>, LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/>, Twitter 
<http://twitter.com/> and bebo <http://www.bebo.com/> make it a piece of 
cake to keep in touch with long lost friends. We can create profiles, 
share pictures, make new friends and connect instantly to other users. 
Sometimes, however, the online footprint we leave behind can work 
against us, providing would-be data thieves with a goldmine of information.

User profiles and the information we post online can be scooped up by 
potential fraudsters with not-so-legitimate intentions. This doesn't 
mean you need to stay away from the web, rather be aware and have the 
following handy tips in mind when you're online:

/Give out as little personal info as you can /
Avoid providing all your private details unless you have to. If you're 
asked to share your birth date, email address, phone number or other 
specific details, look into adjusting your account's privacy settings so 
these aren't on show for the world to see.

/Think about what you're posting/
Whether you're uploading your resume, tweeting a status update or 
sharing holiday happy snaps, your activity online can speak volumes 
about you. Savvy identity thieves can pick up clues about where you 
work, what you do or where you are from unguarded posts.

/Take control of your privacy/*
*Make the most of privacy options available. Experiment with preferences 
to find a privacy level to suit you. Sites like Facebook 
<http://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation.php?ref=pf> give users 
control over things like who can view your profile, your photos and even 
the way people search for you.

/Avoid blindly accepting friend requests/
While social networking sites are great for meeting new people, avoid 
accepting friend requests from people you don't know in real life. 
Stranger danger - beware!

/Know how your personal info will be used/
Read through privacy policies. This way you'll have a decent idea about 
how the site handles your individual info.

/Choose tricky passwords/
Pick passwords which data thieves won't be able to guess from prowling 
through your profile. Learn more about how to choose a secure password 
<http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Secure-Password>.

/Give yourself a Google test/*
*Try plugging your name into a search engine to see how much information 
about you appears. If you find a little too much info being shared (or 
details you'd prefer to remain private) try logging into the relevant 
site to adjust your settings or remove the content altogether.

For tips on safe online shopping 
<http://www.iinet.net.au/discoveryzone/10-tips-for-safe-online-shopping.html> 
or staying safe online 
<http://www.iinet.net.au/discoveryzone/internet-safety-101.html>, head 
on over to our iiNet Discoveryzone <http://www.iinet.net.au/discoveryzone/>.

You can also learn more about phishing scams 
<http://www.iinet.net.au/customers/iinews/news_0508.html#security> and 
how to avoid being caught in cyber traps.

For anyone looking to do extra homework:

    * Read up on identity theft from Lifehacker
      <http://www.lifehacker.com.au/tags/identity-theft/>.
    * Find out what the experts have to say at SCAMwatch
      <http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/identitytheft>.
    * Pick up more info and advice from the Australian Federal Police
      <http://www.afp.gov.au/national/major_fraud/internet_scams>.
    * Learn 10 privacy settings every Facebook user should know
      <http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/02/facebook-privacy/>.

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