Article Directory :: Internet Marketing/Online Business Articles

The Dangers of Social Media Network Profiles

By Kristin Gabriel

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 26Aug2010 Word count: 555 Viewed: 168 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Finding enough information to impersonate someone is easy, especially with the advent of social media. All criminals have to do is to track down an individual's email address or their profile from an open social media network site. Unless a user marks their profile as private, a hacker could trawl all available open social networks — a dream come true for any identity thief or hacker.

Netbook owners usually carry their netbook with them from home to the coffee shop, to school or a friend's home. Netbooks are very convenient, but you need strong, fast and easy-to-use protection to be safe online.

The latest cloud technology automatically stops viruses and spyware before they reach your computer, so it won't slow you down. Real-time updates keep your PC protected from the latest online threats. The latest protection is light on your system resources so your computer runs faster, and it is designed to be easy-to-use, includes spam blocking and customizable parental controls and is understand with simple reports.

You should never give out personal information to people you don't know - especially online or via email, chat or any other form of electronic communication. Be very careful with personal information such as your social security number, address, telephone numbers, tax records, credit card or bank PIN numbers.

Never carry your social security card with you in your wallet or purse. Criminals have an easy way to open credit cards or bank loans in your name should they steal it. Memorize your social security number and give it to others carefully. If you are surfing the Internet, make sure you use Internet security that is as strong as titanium antivirus, and that uses less than half the disk space and memory of traditional security products.

Never ever click on links in emails from banks or a credit card companies. The highest rate of identity theft or fraud comes from fake emails where criminals tell you that you need to update your account with your bank. The email tells you to click on the link and update your information or view the warning, which takes you to a fake website designed to steal your user name and bank password.

Further, if you ever get an email from your bank, credit card company or financial institution asking you to reply to the message NEVER reply to the message. Simply call or visit your bank in person. Never give out information over the telephone. This is the second leading cause of identity theft. If you get a call from a credit card company or bank telling you that something might be wrong with your account and they need to update your account information don't give them any personal information. Thank them but hang up, then call the customer service number of the back of the card and tell them you got a call stating that something was wrong with your account and that you need to check it.

Last, do not ever respond to text messages or call a telephone number in a text message. A newer security risk, cell phone users have started to complain about getting text messages stating information verification need and to call customer service provided. The phone number in the text message is a fake number designed to trick you into giving a credit card number.

EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here

More articles by Kristin Gabriel

Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:

Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details