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Social network media sites - such as blogs, video sharing and networking websites - have revolutionized the way we interact. These sites enable us to connect with acquaintances from years ago, keep track of what friends are up to and develop our hobbies by reading special-interest blogs.
While social media sites provide communication benefits, the use of such sites has drawbacks, such as an increase in identify theft and easier opportunities for sexual predators to access potential victims in on-line chatrooms.
The following helpful tips are provided to help protect yourself and your family.
General Tips:
- Privacy does not exist on the net. Even if people restrict privacy settings, a person with access to a blog or page on Facebook or MySpace only has to take a screenshot of a post and forward it to cause embarrassment or other repercussions. Even when using nicknames or anonymous names, e-mails and posts are all traceable to unique Internet Provider addresses that can identify the sender.
- Install Antivirus Software. Hackers are constantly trying to access personal information and companies are monitoring internet usage and online spending by adding cookies and other monitoring devices. Install antivirus software on run full system scans regularly.
- Protect personal information. Only provide personal information and banking information through secure websites. Do not check banking on-line when using wireless internet, especially at a coffee shop, airport or other locations where the internet is unsecure. Limit the amount of personal information provided on websites like Facebook or MySpace to protect identity.
- Install parental control software. Parents have the ability to limit what sites children have access to on-line. Depending on the age of children, the amount of time they spend on the internet, and their parents ability to monitor their internet activity, investing in parental control software may be the right decision to ensure children do not access inappropriate material.
- Know who your children are friends with online. Child predators commonly use the internet to meet children, establish their trust and lure them into vulnerable positions. If children are using chat rooms, parents must carefully monitor who they talk to. Even in age specific chatrooms, like nine to 12-year-olds, child predators can gain access and talk to children. If children have a Facebook account, parents need to make sure they know his/her friends. Anyone can create a Facebook or MySpace account and use a child's picture for their profile picture in order to befriend someone's child.
- Monitor usage of webcams and Internet sites. Webcams can be a great tool to stay connected to family members, especially when service members are deployed. Webcams can also be used inappropriately, so it is necessary to explain to children the difference between appropriate and inappropriate uses. Children and teenagers with good intentions that perform common internet searches can end up viewing inappropriate websites by accident. Monitor children's online activity to ensure they don't view inappropriate material.
- What you post can be used against you. Any website that is unrestricted and open to the public can be monitored by law enforcement, university administrators, and employers. Pictures posted on-line, along with the corresponding taglines, can be used as evidence to prove crimes or can cause someone to lose a job or not get hired.
- In 2007, a man took time off work to address a family illness, then posted a time-stamped photo of himself at a Halloween costume party on Facebook during his alleged leave. After his boss saw the photo, he was fired. In another instance, a teaching student posted pictures of herself intoxicated on a site. Afterwards, her university would not allow her to graduate with a teaching degree.
- Know who your friends are and which on-line groups you are a part of. Always be mindful of who you are friends with on sites like Facebook and what special interest groups you have joined. Only befriend people you know. If you are friends with your co-workers online, always be careful what you say about work as it could come back to bite you.
There have been a number of cases where an employee’s misuse of social media has lead to their dismissal. However, it appears that these aren’t just outliers, but the result of a serious crackdown by corporate America on tracking their employee’s online activities.
According to a 2009 study by Proofpoint, an Internet security firm, of companies with 1,000 or more employees, 17 percent report having issues with employee’s use of social media. And, 8 percent of those companies report having actually dismissed someone for their behavior on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. That’s double from last year, where just 4 percent reported having to fire someone over social media misuse.Some other interesting findings from the study:
- 15 percent have disciplined an employee for violating multimedia sharing / posting policies
- 13 percent of US companies investigated an exposure event involving mobile or Web-based short message services
- 17 percent disciplined an employee for violating blog or message board policies
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