Your Daily Real
Estate Blog
From
Supreme Manor
Real Estate Services
8 Tips for Safe Social Networking
As we
continue in our series of blogs about internet safety, I think it is important
to address safety while on social networking sites. Social media is the new way to connect with
current and new friends. But participating in online social networking sites
leaves a trail of personal information that can make stealing your identity a
whole lot easier. Here are 8 tried-and-true tips for staying safe as you mingle
in the online world.
1. Beware of TMI
Protecting
yourself from sharing Too Much Information (TMI) can save you from
identity theft and even protect your physical safety. Never share your
social security number, your birth date, home address or home phone number. Of
course, you should protect all of your passwords, PIN numbers, bank account and
credit card information.
2. Customize
privacy options
Social networking sites increasingly
give users more control over their own privacy settings. Don’t assume you have
to take whatever default settings the site gives you. Check out the settings,
configuration and privacy sections to see what options you have to limit who
and what groups can see various aspects of your personal information.
3. Limit work history details on
LinkedIn
Would you
put your full resume online for everyone to see? Probably not. It would be too
easy for identity thieves to use the information to fill out a loan
application, guess a password security question or social engineer their way
into your company’s network. Limit your work history details on sites like
LinkedIn.
4. Don't trust, just verify
There are
lots of reasons why someone might impersonate an identity online. How can you
verify that the page belongs to who you think it does before sharing too much
information? Start by being on the lookout for anything unusual or out of the
ordinary. If the content on the site doesn't look like the person you know,
avoid it.
5. Avoid accidentally sharing personal
details
Micro-blogging
tools like Twitter and “What are you doing right now?” features in Facebook,
LinkedIn and other social networking sites make it easy to let details slip you
wouldn’t otherwise tell friends or strangers. Be aware of what information you
put out there which others might use for nefarious purposes. For example, it is ill-advised to let the
public know you are traveling, especially if you live alone. You are making yourself susceptible to a home
invasion.
6. Search yourself
It is a
good idea to search your name on Google and check out your profile as others
see it on social networking sites. Understand where you show up and what
information is available about you, and then adjust your profile, settings and
habits appropriately.
7. Don't violate your company's
social networking policies
As blogging
and social networking sites enter the workplace, so too are corporate
acceptable use policies (AUP) being updated to define boundaries for employees,
contractors and the company. Data leakage incidents, making inappropriate
public statements about the company, and using corporate resources for personal
uses can all be grounds for reprimand or dismissal. Social networking sites are
another way those things can happen and they create an easy digital paper trail
to investigate.
8. Learn how sites can use your
information
Social
network sites are typically free to use which means they are making their money
by advertising to you. And that means they are collecting information about
you. Is your information shared with outside companies and partners? Review the
site’s privacy policy and watch closely the privacy settings you can control.
I hope this information is useful.
Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs,
please contact Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. Feel free to visit us on our website or any
of our social media sites.
Have a Supreme Day!
Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders
Managing Broker/Owner - CPA, GRI, CNC
Supreme Manor Real Estate Services
1840 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 785-0127 Direct
(773) 797-9640 (fax)
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