SECURITY ISSUE 09: Social Networking

Social networking websites (including Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Friendster and Hi5) are increasing in popularity and used regularly by millions of people worldwide. These websites allow users to keep in touch with family and friends; to express themselves by creating a personal profile and share their photos; and to communicate with others from different cultures who share common interests or hobbies.

Unfortunately, these social networking websites are also being misused by child molesters, sexual predators and scam artists to find victims in various ways which includes grooming and identity fraud, and gathering sensitive information from personal profile (such as date of birth, address and contact number).

Some precautions when using social networking website:
- Keep personal information to yourself such as addresses, contact number, credit card numbers, school or workplace.
- Restrict access to your profile to people you know.
- Create a username which does not reveal anything about you.
- Be careful with people you know online.
- Avoid meeting people that you know online.
- Verify identity of the person you are talking to.
- Never believe everything you read.
- Don't respond to flaming, if it situation becomes hostile, log off or surf elsewhere.
- Posting makes your email public.
- Anything you type can be read by anyone.
- If someone makes a threat, report to a moderator or website operator. Never confront stalkers/harassers.
- Google yourself to find out how much information about you is on the Internet.

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This message brought to you by BRUCERT
(Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team)
http://www.brucert.org.bn
email: cert@brucert.org.bn