subject: Social Networking sites are a good prey for identity thieves [print this page] Social Networking sites are a good prey for identity thieves
Social Networking sites are a great breakthrough for establishing your network of friends and relatives. Like all good things in life even this has many demerits associated with it. Having an active account in social networking sites can mean a lot of information about you being public. A small error on your part can make the same social networking sites a haven for identity thieves.
Millions of people are hooked to social networking sites today. They can find their old friends and flames, contact people for employment or just make new aquaintances. Whatever the reason social netwroking sites divulge more information than they should. Posting addresses and phone numbers, along with their full names and photographs is like offering a sumptuous meal on a plate to identity thieves.
Privacy and security issues are at stake when you reveal so much about you. You are probably enthusiastic to connect with people you might know and have missed for many years, but your personal information online is like your poster on a public wall. Identity thieves are lurking to get hold of your information. Online identity thefts are highly possible thing these days because many government agencies, healthcare organizations and various companies have gone online. Their client databases are accessible and are available online. Though these client databases are protected by various security measures, thieves find loop holes to steal information somehow.
When you sign up for a social networking site, there is an agreement you have to tick for having read the agreement. After this agreement you go ahead and save your personal details like birthdays etc. You full name and personal details are the ones that identity thieves are looking for and have a party at your expense. With this information they can open new bank accounts, apply for credit cards, apply for huge loans, buy cars and the list is endless. Before you realize you end up in huge debts and other legal issues.
If you want to be protected from hacking be wary of how you are giving out information. Apart from the identity theft, online harassment and stalking. Since the social networking sites are very poorly regulated, they are fertile grounds for people trying to get even with you. They can spread malicious rumours among your friends and also download your photos. The extreme of this may be, in trying to get even with you, they may post information that finally gets you into deeper trouble of identity theft.
