Following on from the recent post I did on “Social Networks in contemporary business scenarios” where I covered the Importance of Social Networks in Online Businesses, and outlined the benefits, the role, and why you need to use the following platforms; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

I received a terrific response to the last post along with quite few questions via email, Skype, and comments regarding Malware, Spammers, Hackers, and general security issues surrounding these platforms.

I would like to thank all of you who posed the questions and encouraged me to write this follow up post. I hope I have answered your questions.

Please Note: If you have not yet read the previous post please follow the link below and do so before continuing with this latest post. I would also recommend you read the comments and replies as they can often add a wealth of information to the original post. If you like a comment you are more than welcome to reply. Just hit the Reply link beneath the comment.

Better still leave a reply of your own

Social Networks in contemporary business scenarios

Ok; Lets move on …..

As the popularity of social networks grow tremendously so do their security issues. Cyber crimes are becoming more rampant on social networking websites because of carelessness or lack of information on the users part, and strong preventive steps on these websites part.

In order to safeguard yourself against the threats of using social networks at the hands of people trying to risk your privacy for their own purposes, you need to be aware of all the possible ways they can exploit you.

The lack of hindsight of even the biggest social networks allows cyber criminals to creep in through the cracks of the weak privacy and security systems and wreak havoc on the users.

Social Networks

Hacking

Hackers break into the accounts of unsuspecting Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social networking websites’ users because of the vulnerable security protocols of these networks. The managing teams behind social networks in the past have failed to see the possible repercussion of getting an account hacked. People put up sensitive information about themselves on these websites which can be used to bring them harm in monetary or other ways.

BUT…. it’s not all doom and gloom, there is good news the Social Networks have started to fight back!

How do Social Network accounts get hacked?

  • Hacking through user’s e-mail addresses is most common way of identity thefts. All you need to know is the login e-mail for an account and then you are on your way to cracking a password through various softwares available.
  • Phishing is also used to get the credentials of social networks members. There are so many websites out there which look like Facebook, Twitter and other social networks but lead to malicious websites which steal information and use it later.
  • Social engineering has also been seen at work on Facebook to hack accounts. Here, a hacker would send you spoof e-mails apparently from Facebook or obtain your password in a chat.
  • The users of all social networks can define their own privacy settings. Make sure you keep them strict, especially keep your primary e-mail address hidden to yourself.
  • They also provide you the option of secure browsing, with “https” so that your page will only load when you have a secure connection.
  • You can also opt for getting notified when a new computer or mobile device logs into your social network account.

How to protect your account from getting hacked:

  • The users of all social networks can define their own privacy settings. Make sure you keep them strict, especially keep your primary e-mail address hidden to yourself.
  • They also provide you the option of secure browsing, with “https” so that your page will only load when you have a secure connection.
  • You can also opt for getting notified when a new computer or mobile device logs into your social network account.

Security Issues

Social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter are immensely popular and powerful social platforms; therefore, they are a target of lot of security issues. In order to secure your accounts against any possible harm you need to be very prudent with Facebook.

Malware threat:

With millions of user made applications available on the social networks, the threat of getting malware like viruses, worms, and spyware looms ever larger. You can accidentally download a virus on to your system by clicking on a fake button or through some harmful application. Any application that asks for access to your profile information put you at risk.

In order to avoid getting your system infected with any malicious software because of hoax applications, follow these tips:

  • Never download anything from social networking websites which you have not prompted.
  • All social networks give you the option of application settings, from where you can protect yourself from malicious activity.
  • Do not let applications gain access to your personal information; it could be used in a harmful manner.
  • Remove all applications which you do not use anymore.
  • Do not install applications whose authenticity cannot be obviously established.

Cyber Crimes:

Crimes over the internet have increased in the past few of years, and they have gone from bad to worse. Social networking websites are visited and used by all kinds of people; you cannot possibly tell if someone’s a criminal. This has given freedom to malefactors of our society to disturb and bring harm upon people.

There have been numerous stories and incidents about people being blackmailed, pictures being misused, information being sold, extortions, spying, and stalking taking place because of the access the cyber-bullies get to your personal information once they befriend you.

In order to protect yourself against possible abuse you need to be very prudent while using these social networking websites. Take the following steps and put distance between yourself and malicious people:

  • Social networks allow you the option of choosing your friends. Choose your friends carefully, never add a person you do not know.
  • Do not share your pictures and videos with everyone. Use the privacy settings strictly to protect your personal information.
  • Block any suspicious people, and report abuse so that they cannot contact you again.
  • If someone is bullying you or harassing you through sending you malicious or unsolicited messages, invites, and request immediately report that person to the social networks management. All social working websites have this option.
  • Be very cautious about what information you put up on social networks for everyone to see.
  • Under no circumstances should you provide sensitive personal and private information on any social network.

Spamming

Social networks are the favorite hangout of cyber criminals, scammers and spammers. Spamming is extremely annoying for the users, all the more so when you are constantly bombarded by unwanted advertisements and messages.

Avoid getting the headache of spam messages by:

  • Never give your e-mail address and phone numbers for everyone to see, for they will be picked up and you will be drowned under hundreds of messages every day.
  • Do not use applications and especially no games with your primary e-mail accounts.
  • Un-friend people who forward spam messages, also leave groups and communities which promote spam advertisements.
  • Do not follow and click on any clicks unless you are certain of their authenticity.
  • Report spam links and spam messages so as to get them removed by the website’s management team, and promote them to take strict action against spammers.
  • Do not unnecessarily join groups, communities, especially if you are not going to participate in them.
  • Take notice of what information you share about yourself with various applications.
  • Do not unwittingly share and promote every other outside link.

Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and the like were designed for the purpose of bringing people close together and have meaningful conversation and information exchange.

                                       

The Good News!

During the last 2 years security researchers and vendors have really looked at these issues and problems, both Twitter and Facebook have taken huge steps forward in combating this problem.

Twitter now routes all links through a filter “link checking service” that scans for Spamming and Malware and prevents sullied links from being posted.

Also the “link shortening service” it created goes through filters and all links are now vetted.

It also now employs “OAuth” which allows users to authenticate credentials without providing their username or password, preventing user having their credentials hijacked.

Also the company “Barracuda” has made available for Free the “Profile Protector” which scans both Facebook and Twitter profiles and identifies any users / companies that are on the security watch lists!

The Social Networks will continue to redesign their privacy and security structures so as to protect their users, while the members need to be more prudent.

 

Have a safe online life!

 
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Catch up soon

Filed under: Social Media and Networks

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