Social Networking Sites: A Security Hazard?

Could you name ten persons from your class or office that do not have Facebook or MySpace accounts? Something tells me that you’ll already stop counting by the time you reach your index finger.

Social networking sites have gained tremendous support and popularity over the past few years. Early versions of these Web sites started out as dating services. However, operators realized that they could swim on a bigger pond if they’ll cater to persons who simply want to be heard or to hear from friends and relatives.

Revealing Too Much

When the shift was made, the response was mind-boggling. Millions of people signed up for free accounts, filling out their profile pages with their complete names, birth dates, and other information that you would normally find in a bio data sheet.

At the rate people are signing up for a Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter account, one would think that the folks at the FBI might already be contracting the creators of the social networking sites to update government databases as to the personal info of the people on its watch list. Indeed, by simply glancing at the profile pages of your friends in Facebook, you’ll realize that it actually replicates a resume or a bio data sheet. It has everything that one would need to consummate the crime of identity theft.

Willing Malware Hosts

Phishers are not the only ones who are swimming in the pond created by social networking sites. Hackers have already tried dipping in the water and found it to be suitable for its malicious intentions. Facebook encountered its first malware attack about a year ago when a bogus Widget called Secret Crush was installed by its account holders, thinking that it was a legitimate application from the site’s operator. The program was supposed to pinpoint people in Facebook who might have a crush on them. Of course, the application didn’t work that way. Secret Crush turned out to be Secret Crash as it indeed crashed some systems due to the spyware that it installed.

For some reason, people tend to let their guard down whenever they’re logged on to a social networking site. Some quickly entertain programs that are being offered to them, while others readily give out information to people that they barely know. With this kind of attitude, you’ll surely be reformatting your hard drive in a few months time. While antivirus programs are made to protect your from external threats, it won’t stand a chance if the attack comes from within. Your antivirus can’t protect you from yourself.

Simple Prudence

By simply being cautious on the buttons that you click and on the information that you give out, you can save yourself from malware attacks and identify theft in social networking sites even without the help of security programs. When somebody wants to add you as a friend in Facebook, check out his profile first. If he doesn’t look familiar to you, reject his request. Likewise, when a widget or application is presented to you, don’t install it without checking its source. If it doesn’t seem legit or if you couldn’t find any information about it, then I suggest that you ignore it.