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The use of Social networking sites are increased a lot and its become necessary for some people. People who are addicted to this cannot leave without it. But we all should know that there are many of the risks while using this. I cannot mention all over here and so I am posting this thread here and hope that all the other people will post some possible risk with this so that we can keep away from that. I can only say that, use it for time pass but don’t make it addiction.
Facebook, Myspace social networking sites are attracting more and more members, all ages and all nationalities. However, users are not always aware of the risks by spreading personal information on these sites. First of all, inviting users to create a personal space where they can broadcast their name, address, photo, etc.. Often users are unaware that this very personal information (family photos, personal or business contacts, etc.). Or sensitive (political or religious views, sexual preferences, etc.).. All this information constitutes personal data which form part of the privacy of every individual and as such are legally protected.
One of the main risks associated with the dissemination of personal data on social networking sites is that people become easy targets for marketers and advertisers. Indeed, marketing professionals can collect from these sites with valuable information about the lifestyle, tastes and preferences of millions of users and better target their marketing operations depending on the profile of Internet users.
Cyber crime is everywhere on the Internet. However, social networking sites seem conducive to certain types of cybercrime, such as identity theft. It is indeed very easy to create a false identity from a name, an e-mail and a photo. There is no evidence that the person behind the online identity is who they claim to be. In 2006, a woman has been sentenced to more than 13000 dollars for having usurped the identity of his co-worker on the dating site Meetic. The problem of identity theft is a danger especially to children who learn more and earlier practices of chat, forums, and blogs, but may not have the necessary perspective or maturity allowing them to detect certain dangers. Thus, the United States, a mother who was posing as a 16-year-old boy was charged after the suicide of a teenage girl with whom she interacted on Myspace.
There are many of the applications available on social networking sites allow users to distribute, share or copy a variety of multimedia content (music, films, texts, etc..), Which may constitute trademark infringement when the works are protected by copyright. Another example is the spread of photos on their profile. Users are often unaware that the simple diffusion of the image of a friend without his consent may affect the image of this person. In this context, the use of social networking sites should be surrounded by precautions to protect themselves either against infringements of privacy and intimacy, or against illegal acts that may result in civil or criminal the authors.
It seems that the whole business world linked together by social networking sites. In itself a good thing, because it makes business or finding a new challenge a lot easier. Yet these occasions bring problems with it. Our security experts believe that the danger is not so much the technology, but especially from the human side that creates problems.
The nature of social networking sites allow users to build a network of contacts based on an element of trust that expands outside a business, making the company sensitive information is susceptible to unauthorized propagation. Now Facebook is rejecting applications that require subscribers to distribute them to your friends before you can use.
It's easier than ever to go online and share information on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. This also means that the most intimate expressions or digital snapshots of a young person in seconds for the general public can be accessed. So that significant risks can be connected, is often not taken seriously enough. Only now are we slowly become aware of the potential risks posed by cyber criminals and pedophiles who hold on to social networking sites out for victims. But did you know that potential employers look at these sites? Do your children know that everything they publish today, it might catch up years later when searching for a job? Or even when applying to college or finding a life partner?
Young people should not only pay attention to what they write about themselves, but also be wary of what others write about them. So it is now becoming more common that a former boyfriend or a girlfriend or a former classmate created a fake page on these sites, showing a person in a very unflattering light. Another tactic: Personal contact information for a person to be released on porn sites or other sites harmful to minors.
Do not believe everything you read on the internet. Be suspicious if someone wants to know too much about you, overly polite or trying to is to help you. Behind it could conceal a criminal who wants to earn your trust. They also teach your children this skepticism.
You must be careful what you write. Write a blog never know that you drink alcohol, take drugs or engage in other activities that could attract other displeasure. Think about it carefully before you publish extreme social or political views. These publications can be read by someone with whom you have arranged an interview for a new job.
Protect access to your information. If you want to use social networking sites, then you should only publish the information on such sites where you can protect your records with a password. This way you can restrict access to such user the easiest way, which you have assigned a status of "friend".
One of the most risky thing with the social media is that the photos which we upload over there can be easily downloaded and there its possibility that someone can misuse that. So if you are using social media then it is recommended not to share your personal pics and information over there.