Eight rules for safe use of Web 2.0
August 18, 2008 – 9:48 pmWhether it is a blog, wiki or personal space as MySpace, today’s youth are in almost constant contact with the world around them. They have quickly woven these social network tools into everyday life. However, hiding in the strands of this Web 2.0 is a sinister sting in the tail.
The sting comes in the form of invasion of privacy, identity theft and loss of control over what has traditionally been private information. Over three quarters of the “friends” I have met online or know offline have more than one personal photo in the online profile.
Because of the somewhat anonymous nature of online networks, quite a few of those photos are more revealing than you would normally see in a family photo album. Not only photos, but much of the information volunteered about favorite this or that can easily be used to build up an accurate picture of the person behind the page.
Here are eight rules for safely using Web 2.0 tools.
1. Choose your Web 2.0 tool carefully
Read the FAQ, tour the site, read the privacy policy and find out how your information will be kept secure. The big players are still around because they have treated their members information with respect. Don’t be too quick to join every new social network that pops up. Give it time to see how they develop over time. If you must be one of the first, keep your information to a minimum in case they get hacked or fold.
2. Use a nickname and not your real name
As a screen name, my Madmax104 identify gives nothing away compared to BrendanBrewster. Whoops, now you know one of my secret identities. By using your real name or some combination of it such as BBrewster77 or BrendanB77, identity thieves can begin to piece your life together by stringing snippets from blog posts and online profiles. Don’t use the same nickname on every site. It might seem tough to be known as Madmax104 but the amount of information that is revealed on different sites and forums will eventually be enough to complete a profile on me.
3. Don’t use the public profile
Resist telling the world your life story in your public profile. Leave it blank or if the site policy prevents this, leave the site. Even a city, state or zip code is enough to add one more piece to the identity puzzle.
4. Don’t give our your private contact information
Do not share your private information in public posts or any part of your profile. You may be granting access to your private profile only to your “friends” but some Web 2.0 tools have the concept of an extended network where you get access to the profile information of friends of friends. Do not be tricked into revealing any contact information, even if the contact seems genuine. It is all too easy for a predator to pretend to be someone just like you who likes the same music and movies (all of which are on your profile…).
5. Think twice before posting photos
Who will see the photo? Your future boss? The stalker? Your parents! I have heard stories about students missing out on jobs or being subject to disciplinary action by their school because of photos they had posted on their profiles.
6. Nothing is truly private
No matter what security measures are in place, make the decision to post only those things you would proud to have your parents, employer, family or workmates to read or see. The site may be secure enough, but you cannot stop someone else re-posting your content elsewhere.
7. It is not easy to delete online content
You can say things in the private company of friends that should never be put online. Even if it is your page and you delete it, once Google scans the page it can be online for a long time. Others may make a copy of your content and even though you delete your original post, the copy can remain for a very long time.
8. Friends are most likely total strangers
Your newly found online friends remain strangers far longer than you would think. Don’t let your guard down and begin to think of them as friends. You do not let just anyone into your private life and invite them into your home so why would you open up your online life to total strangers?
By taking note of these basic precautions while online you can remain safe and enjoy many hours of social interaction.
Brendan.
