Are social networking Facebook, Myspace sites dangerous?

Social Network-Facebook, Myspace-do they make us Vulnerable

“Are you on Facebook?”This is one of the most commonly asked questions these days. The social networking sites like facebook, orkut or myspace have become popular trend of the current decade. The young generation cannot imagine their life without social networking!

While discussing the pros of social networking sites; these sites have become a good platform of interaction among the friends, relatives and colleagues. Some old class mates meet here again and stay connected with each other. The virtual communities lead to healthy discussions. Here one can express their opinion, share information, promote their sites or blogs beyond the geographical and cultural limits. The networks like ‘linkedin’ have paved the way for professional communication.

The topmost threat of these social networking sites is they make us vulnerable to risk of “identity theft”.

Generally on social networking sites display personal data of its user such as name, age, e-mail address etc which can be used by identity thieves in performing illegal activities. Famous personalities are becoming victim of fake profiles created using their name.

At the same time teenager are addicted to social networking, by compressing their responsibilities. With updating their profiles constantly they are providing excessive amount of personal information which exposes them to risk from wrong doers.

Well, does it mean social networking should be avoided? Not so, instead use it in smarter ways such as;
• Don’t share your information which exposes you to any kind of risk such as phone number, home address, full date of birth etc.
• Customize your privacy settings so that strangers have very limited access to your personal data.
• Maintain different e-mail address for social networking and personal use. When it comes to personal discussion its better use e-mail instead of social networking. On the same hand use different passwords for different services.
• Don’t accept friend request from strangers. Before joining communities always know in detail about them. Ensure that they are not involved with illegal matters.
• Be attentive of consequences while interacting with strangers online.
• Never click on links in emails related to your bank accounts or financial matters. In such cases it is better to enter your website URL in the browser.

To sum up enjoy social networking, just chill with your friends but by being more prudent. Before too much reveling about yourself think again because millions strangers can see your information.

Contributed by: Sunayana Marnadu
Be a Contributor, Get paid