Social Media How It Affects Your Identity

Social Media sites generate millions of dollars in revenue with targeted advertising, based on yourpersonal information. As such they encourage registered users to provide as much information as possible. 

With the increasing Global use of Social Media , there are more opportunities than ever before to identify or perpetrate online fraud.

As an example if you post that you are away and on holidays you realistically open yourself up for a possible burglary. This is no different from posting that you are away on a business trip.

The following profile elements can be used to steal or misappropriate your identity.

• Full name
• Date of Birth
• Home address
• Relationship status
• Other interests and hobbies

Now you’re asking “Yourself” why would the list above compromise your identity; below are a couple of examples how your identity can be compromised.

• GPS enables phone sharing  your location , can reveal sensitive information like your home address, work address , and the places you visit.
• Ninty Five percent of Facebook profiles have at least one application , many of which are not reviewed  and can be used for malicious purposes.

Before you jump online and cancel all your social media accounts, consider there are ways to be smart about who you share and who you share it with. By considering  the best practices below , you can enjoy the benefits of social media without making yourself a target.

• Never give out your driver’s license number
• Consider unique username and passwords for each profile – Although its consuming – It’s a Must !
• Vary your passwords and change them regulary
• Don’t give out usernames or passwords
• Minimize the use of personal information
• Avoid listing your Date of Birth
• Only invite people you know or who you have met as appose to friends of friends and complete strangers
• Be careful with what you “Post” and what you say, as it can be used against you later.

We must continue to educate ourselves, on the proper use of Social Media as it relates to protectingYOUR PRIVACY and personal Security .