Sunday, September 09, 2007
Freaky
It seems like everyone is on Facebook now. My entire family is on Facebook. Yes, even my mom and dad are on Facebook! There are many things I love about Facebook, like how it has enabled me to get in touch with long lost friends from elementary school, high school, college, university and from my work overseas. Without Facebook, we would probably not have otherwise been able to find each other. The social networking service also helps me keep in touch with family and friends regularly by us leaving messages for each other.
One of my aunts recently sent me a message that really alarmed me. A friend of hers wrote this e-mail to her:
"I have never gone near Facebook because it is one mechanism used by "bad" people to find out information about someone they want to do an "identifty theft" on - the more they know about someone, the easier it is to impersonate him. So I'm not sure if being on facebook is a good thing or not...I feel complimented, but wary..."
This is actually not the first time I have heard something like this. I read a few articles on MSN news and on other online news sites about this very topic. With internet fraud and identity theft, services like MySpace, Facebook and Orkut (just to name a few) make it easier for someone to impersonate you on the internet. It's quite scary!
Am I going to stop using Facebook? No. However, I'm going to be a lot more careful of what I do on there and what information is divulged.
**UPDATE**: I added GoogleAds on the blog and was alarmed when I saw an ad for "Boys in Panties". I was rather freaked out since I don't want any "questionable" material on here. That just really worries me. Anyway, a friend (thanks, T!) checked out the link and it was an ad for the "boy cut" style in women's panties. The link takes you to Shopzilla, where you can find all styles, sizes and colours of "boy cut" panties. Thanks again, T. That was really worrisome!
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City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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17 comments:
Bloody hell. This is why I am not on Crackbook.
-Pete
yeah i have often wondered how easy it is to get info based on what one posts on FB. I know that I was able to find out quite a bit of info on someone based on one status they and a friend wrote...i have now made my account prety much private to anyone other than my friends. I don't want ANYONE being able to view my pics and personal info...
OMGosh! I never even thought of that! That is scary! Off to change my privacy settings on FB now.
When I joined facebook I was told about the information people can get, so I put many privacy settings on my facebook profile. Only friends can see photos of my child and have a look at my profile. I have taken away all work and education info and as much info such as birthday and such. Its scary what people can find out.
Oh crap! That's scary! I am always on Facebook! Thanks for posting this. I think I'm going to go and change my privacy settings now!
Pete:
Yes, I know. You were one of the ones who warned me about Facebook. You said it was a conspiracy and how FB users were blind. Actually, I think your exact words were "FB users give out all their personal info WILLINGLY for people to steal." Right? ;)
Dina:
It's scary, isn't it? I immediately changed my info for only friends to see.
hotmommy:
Yes, did you also notice that some of the info that FB users have on their profile is info that a lot of financial institutions ask you for when they do their security check? Take for example, your date of birth, mother's maiden name, etc. Scary!
Danielle:
I just took off all my education and work info too. I read that one Facebook user even had his resume on there. It all seems so innocent, but in the hands of someone with the wrong intentions, it could be disastrous. I'm really paranoid about things like this now. Even when I buy something online or whatever, I clear all my history, temp files and cookies, shut the browser, etc. LOL! I sound like a freak, I know! I just don't feel safe with all that information going out or being left on the computer for someone to hack.
T:
:) I was going to tell you about this the other day!
C ? Is the artist formally known as Chrissy?
This is very crucial information... it's just too bad that something so simple and helpful can be turned into something so evil.
Thanks for the warning!
Sharon - Pinks & Blues Girls
Uncivil:
LOL! You know, I started this blog just to keep in touch with friends and family. Then before I knew it, a lot of people on the island started coming up to me and saying they read my blog!!! I don't mention people's real names and I don't talk about overly personal things that pertain to me. I do want to maintain a certain level of anonymity (which is hard because I started out with this blog as an update for friends and family...who obviously know who I am).
Now, I used the name: Chrissy because I didn't want to use my real name. Nobody ever calls me Chrissy, so I thought that would be okay. Then, when Curiosity Killer and I were lounging in the sun at the Red Lodge, she commented on my alias. She started laughing like crazy and told me that it wasn't the greatest choice since it was too close to my real name. Okay, do I get the "not the sharpest tool in the shed" award? LOL! I then changed it to "C". Still not far removed enough from me real name though. Any suggestions? LOL!
Sharon:
I know. Isn't it sad? Something so helpful can totally be used for no good in the hands of those who wish to use information in harmful ways. It just makes me a little angry, but mostly sad that there are people out there who would do such a thing.
I should check my FB setting too as I'm really so terrible at all things related to computers. Sort of scary since I blog too. It is so true that something meant to put people in touch with others can be used for such mean-spirited purposes as well. Just "C" works for me :)
Karen:
I was going to send you a message about this the other day, but I figured I'd just blog about it! LOL!
Oh, and what on earth??? I added Google Ads by AdSense to my blog, and no 'questionable' material or ads are supposed to be on there, but I just saw an ad on my blog that says "Boys in Panties: Bargain Prices. Smart Deals. Shop for Panties!" I can't click on the links, so I have no idea what that is! It sounds kind of weird though! Hmph!
Chris, I checked out the Google Ads "Boys In Panties" link for you. It takes you to Shopzilla and then you get hundreds and hundreds of women's panties in the "boy cut". They're actually really cute! Just thought i'd let you know so you don't have to worry about it being a 'questionable; link!
c- I noticed the boys in panties google ad too - holy crap! I'm glad t sorted things out for you... I didn't have time to link from it, but I was also a bit afraid LOL!
LOL!! I was only laughing because you told me you meant your name was meant as an "alias" which is not exactly fitting since it's so close to your real name. But hey, if "C" works for ya... I would think an alias more like, I don't know - "Valerie"? Or "Nina Simone"? You know what I mean. LOL
The facebook is so true. If you can't assess into someone's profile, you can always get into his/her friends' profile, etc, and get more info, etc... it freaks me out -- and you know something? They're actually going to let Google have assess to it! Friendster and Myspace are both already Google-accessible.
Great post.
CK:
Hahahaha! I know! I am still thinking of a new alias! C is still just too close to my real name! I don't want to choose anything cheesy...and too bad Nina Simone is already taken! Eunice Kathleen Waymon was way more creative in finding a stage name than I could ever be! LOL!