Tuesday, January 19, 2010

More Facebook woes...

I've been saying Facebook is dangerous for years - to be fair, I'm not the only one - but it's amusing to see three stories about three different risks of using Facebook in one day. Well, they weren't all written the same day, but I saw them all on the same day.

PC World tells us: Job Seekers, Watch Your Walls -- Employers Check Facebook Among the other stats provided in the article: 53% of employers check social networking sites like Facebook when vetting potential employees and more plan to start. A lot of employers have let people go because of what's on their Facebook page, too.

From IndyPosted: AT&T Error Allowed Unauthorized Facebook Access. Apparently there is a problem with how cell phones connect to the internet - there is no indication of whether it's only on AT&T's network. The problem caused a family to be sent someone elses Facebook login info. [Update: According to CNET's Insecurity Complex column AT&T has fixed the problem.]

The Security Watch blog at PCMag.com asks the question, Is Facebook privacy a sham? And with good reason. Facebook supplies a public link for you to give to people who are not members. It allows people who are not members of Facebook to look at pictures that you have labeled "Me Only". Does no one at Facebook see the problem in this?

I don't hate Facebook. Social networks can be a great tool. I even have an account. But I am concerned that even the people who try to keep most of their info on Facebook private are doomed to expose far more than they intend because Facebook doesn't really allow users to keep anything private.

7 comments:

  1. No privacy for sure. This is one reason why you should not post or carry on personal conversations on the page, but rather either use the chat box or the email function.
    I love using FB myself, but my main use for it is for entertainment....not socializing (which is obvious to those that try to take a peek at my "page").

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  2. My account is primarily for entertainment, too. But that's actually the worst use for Facebook if you're concerned about privacy. Most Facebook apps are given full access to your data AND all of your friends data when you sign up.

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  3. If you use a little bit common sense in using facebook it's fine. But common sense is so uncommon these days.....

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  4. I agree. To both assertions. But Facebook should do more to protect users privacy, too. Well, they should do more to allow users to protect their own privacy.

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  5. [...] warning them. I’ve talked about this before – most recently in response to a comment yesterday. Facebook had a response to this problem: “The only information apps can access without first [...]

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  6. What about your bank? Look what's happening at Plains.

    http://lubbockonline.com/stories/012010/loc_552235229.shtml

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  7. Not my bank, but it is worth looking at. Either tonight or for tomorrows post.

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