This week’s theme on social media
privacy especially hits home for me because I learned about how to secure the
information I share online the hard way. While I was a sophomore at Marist
College, my roommate and I decided to take a weekend trip to Boston. Both
extremely excited about our trip, and my first time visiting Boston, we didn’t
hesitate sharing photos and status updates on our Facebook pages about being
away all weekend. Wouldn’t you know, the
Sunday night we returned, our room had been burglarized and all our jewelry,
Dvds, and loose change was stolen. Thankfully, they left our laptops, but I
felt completed violated and the first thing I thought of was how I told
everyone on Facebook I went to Boston.
 |
| Boston, MA |
I learned a
valuable lesson about social media that weekend, and since then I’ve been
pretty restrictive about what I post, and who I’m posting to. Here are some
tips and valuable tools when it comes to using social media:
1.
Secure your Friends
- Ask yourself, do I really have 400+ friends? Do all of these people NEED to know my profile information? If not, get rid of them.
- Make sure the people you accept as friends, and the people you allow to “follow” you are real and relevant.
- If you don’t know who some of your 400+ Facebook friends are, it may be wise to go through and de-friend some of them. The same goes for other social media accounts. If you don’t know who these people are, they why should they know personal information about you?
2.
How are you going to be using this tool?
- Once you develop a social media account, decide how you’re going to be utilizing it to your advantage. Find a balance and/or difference between personal use, and professional use.
- “Facebook is nonetheless the most significant one to higher education because of its original focus on the college/university market.” (Mitrano, 2006) That being said, use it wisely.
- Many tools are being used to network professionally, so it is important that any information you share publicly, is information you really think the public should see.
- Sites like LinkedIn and even Twitter can be used to get a job if you use them correctly.
3.
Site Policy
- Read and educate yourself on the site policy for each social media tool
- Make sure you know how much information your account has on you and what they’re doing with it.
- “In social networks, people can increase their defenses against identification by adopting tight privacy controls on information in personal profiles.” (Lohr, 2010)
4.
Know what you’re posting
- While you might want to let everyone know you’re going on a fabulous vacation, tell them when you get back. The only people that should know are the people you don’t need to speak to using social media. The last thing you want to do is risk the information of your absence being in the wrong hands.
- Don’t put your birthday, email, and phone number out there for all to see. If people need this information, they can ask you. This information is useful to thieves and hackers.
- “When you’re doing stuff online, you should behave as if you’re doing it in public — because increasingly, it is.” (Lohr, 2010)
Speaking from personal experience, it is very important that each user of social media take into consideration how much information they really want to be revealing to their so-called "friends" on Facebook, and "followers" on Twitter. It is very important that users take advantage of the security settings on social media accounts and utilize them to the fullest. Below is a video that helps to capture the themes for this week:
Social Media Privacy
Lohr, S. (2010,
March 16). How Privacy Vanishes Online. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from The
New York Times website:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/technology/17privacy.html?_r=1&
Mitrano, T.
(2006, January 1). A Wider World: Youth, Privacy, and Social Networking
Technologies. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from Educause website:
http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/
wider-world-youth-privacy-and-social-networking-technologies
Sandawala, J.
(2011, October 24). Social Media Privacy. Retrieved from You Tube website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9pFMSKPXSk
Hi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that happened to you! Nearly everyone that was burglarized while I worked in the Police Department would say this same thing ... it is such a violating feeling!
I have seen one of your key points listed on most blogs so far ... choose your friends wisely. I even used it for mine too. I will be narrowing my friends list, and I know a couple of others have said this too.
After your experience, did you completely re-evaluate your social media accounts and presence, or did you only re-evaluate your content?
Also, do you, or did you, have trouble with your friends or followers saying things about your status that you did not want posted? If so, would you, or did you, unfriend them or just ask them not to do it again? I am asking because I have a friend that has mentioned my status, and I was considering unfriending her because she does not view social media the same as I.
Thanks Nicole, and great post!
Dawn
Hi Dawn,
DeleteThanks for your post! To answer some of your questions, at the time my only social media account was on Facebook, but I also used AIM. I re-evaluated my privacy settings, content, and even removed my last name. I also stopped putting detailed "away messages" up on AIM because I felt that it was no one's business knowing where I was.
I do sometimes have trouble with my friends sharing status information when I don't feel it should be shared, but Facebook actually now has a setting where you can "review" any post that involves you before its shown on your wall, so I use that to filter what I do and don't want others sharing about me. If you have a good friend that's doing this, perhaps consider using this setting before unfriending her.
Nicole
Thanks so much Nicole!
DeleteI saw this setting, but was not completely sure that what I thought it meant really was just that. I am skeptical that way, and I also know sometimes I over think things and then I think something does what it does not. So, you just clarified a huge tool that I will definitely be using from now on!!!
I'm glad you only had one account to worry about! I know some people who have accounts on several different social media platforms, and they just do it to say they have accounts, without really using them. I guess they feel that having a large number of accounts is a status thing, like having a large number of friends or followers.
In my research for this week's post, I recall seeing that someone suggested making an account, just so nobody else could create a 'fake' account with your name. However, I read so much that I cannot recall (or find it at the moment) where I read this. If anyone recalls this info from our readings, can you refresh my memory please!
Do you, or anyone else in the class, think creating an account, so a stranger cannot create one using your name is a good thing? I'm curious at to what you all think.
Thanks,
Dawn
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that example. I am sorry that you had to go through that. You make an excellent point about the number of friends that are let into our social network. When I give my presentation to our student-athletes about social media one of the first things that I address is the number of friends that they have. Most of them have over 1,000 which they have begun to accumulate since their freshman year of high school. I find that they do not even know who they are accepting or their relationship to the person.
I do a lot of traveling and I am guilty of sharing my location when away from home. I like your suggestion of posting where you went after returning. The more I hear about the dangers of social media, the more I questions if it is worth having social media accounts. Do you feel that social media is worth all of the trouble? It definitely has its benefits, but do they outweigh the negatives?
Travis
Hi Travis,
DeleteI know you asked Nicole this question, but I had to give my quick thoughts, so I hope you and Nicole don't mind.
I have kept myself out of the social media world as much as I possibly could for my own protection from an 'ex'. This was great for staying out of his reach, but it has deeply hindered my career.
Although I have knowledge of and about social media and the different platforms out there, I have had people feel that by my not using them regularly, I may not be able to work with social media on a daily basis. I truly disagree with this belief, because using these platforms for business is not hindering my own privacy, so I would be putting my all into them.
Nonetheless, it was this eye opener that caused me to stop midway through my MBA schooling, and switch to the IMC program. I needed to be able to PROVE my abilities to future employers. I am very glad I made this decision, even though I did not feel it was necessary.
It sounds as though you work with your social media accounts daily for your work. Do you think someone who has not used social media in their personal life could do the same as you do in your position regarding social media?
Sorry for the intrusion! :)
Dawn
HI Travis,
DeleteThanks for your post. I always find it interesting how you're able to incorporate your profession at Marist with each blog in this class. I do think the benefits can outweigh the bad when it comes to using social media and having your own accounts, as long as you use social media wisely. Some of the benefits can include getting a job by using websites such as Linkedin. Others include, getting news before its even broadcasted on TV through Twitter, reconnecting with childhood friends on Facebook, or using it as a great marketing tool.
Dawn makes a great point on this topic, using these platforms for business doesn't hinder one's own privacy and you can work with them professionally on a daily basis.
Thanks for you post and thanks for your comments Dawn!
Nicole
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, very nice layout and great choice of graphics. I love the social media over lap one. (can I borrow that?) The video was great, the music made it.
I am so sorry that happened to you. I know it is difficult to share personal stories in class, I think for this assignment it really hits home and is reflected in your choice of tips. But I feel that your post will connect with a lot of people because it is personal and you now realize how to keep yourself safe online.
As you, Travis and Dawn mention, do you really know that many people, a good lesson is to know who and why you are friending them.
I really like the idea of telling people where you went after you return. This will also hold true if you are away and you are “checking in” with your status. This happened with me. My niece checked us in at a restaurant in Florida instead of in NY. A few minutes later I received message asking if I was on vacation. I clearly was not, but this was truly an accident. However, people viewing your site could see something like this and realize you are not home.
You note that you have reevaluated what you post and to who. However, from this weeks lessons were there any changes you had not made and now you will? If so, would you like to share?
Thank you,
Joanna
Hi Joanna,
DeleteThanks for your post! I liked that part of the video too. I actually did change the privacy settings on my class twitter account so now I have to "accept" no followers. But I do want to share, like I wrote to Dawn above there's a privacy setting of Facebook I think everyone should utilize. You can give yourself the option to 'review' posts by friends before they're shared on your wall. This way you can prevent information from being shared before you see it.
Thanks for your post!
Nicole
Nicole,
DeleteHaving to accept followers is a great option for all of social media platforms. This allows you to be in control of who sees and can post on your sites. Very smart option. As mentioned several times in posts, to use common sense and be smart about what you say.
Thank you,
Joanna
Hi Nicole and Joanna,
DeleteAfter reading your comments about the geotagging, I checked my phone. It turns out that when I turned off the GPS function on my phone, that DOES NOT turn off the location settings within each app. Good to know, because apparently I have been allowing Google access to my location through their app, and all the while I thought I had turned all of the location tracking off already. Glad I checked it!
Thanks,
Dawn
Good to hear that you're familiarizing yourself with your social media applications and their security policies!
DeleteHi Nicole -
ReplyDeleteThat stinks that your place was burglarized - such a terrible violation. I grew up in NYC and our apartment was broken into when I was a kid. You just never get over that feeling that it can happen again. I think that's why I've never posted vacation plans on Facebook. Most of the time I don't even tell many people at work or my neighbors where/when I'm going away. I usually post a handful of photos when I return and my friends give me slack for not posting about it sooner.
I like how you broke down your points and applying it to a personal situation really demonstrates the impact and importance of owning security awareness on these sites. As time goes on I wonder if the behavior of users will eventually shift to posting more vague details as a result incidents like the one you experienced.
Hi Tara,
DeleteI would hope that as time goes by, users will shift to posting less details and information about their whereabouts and traveling. I think a part of this is that users need to be educated. A course like this is a great tool, not only for business but also for everyday personal use. If more people become educated on the privacy and site policies of these social media applications. After all, the National Labor Relations board states that the "use of social media presents certain risks and carries with it certain responsibilities." (Herrin, 2012)
Herrin, B. (2012, June). National Labor Relations Board Post s Template Social Media Policy.Retrieved from Legal Himformation website: http://www.legalhimformation.com/articles/pdfs/HIM2012-06.pdf
Hey Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. That must have been such a terrible experience. Unfortunately, this is a very real danger when people keep their entire social network appraised of their every movement in this social media age. I love that you used your terrible experience as a learning opportunity and really drew back on how much you shared on social media.
However, with the proliferation of geo-tagging with nearly every app that is then connected through to Facebook, it has become harder and harder to maintain a level of privacy and security in your life. If one wants to stay connected, these apps can be a fun, diverting time but the user now has to go out of their way to stay protected. Joanna’s example above shows how just by using normal, everyday social media tools casually (or even by those around you) can be sharing far too much information with far too many people. Even in this incidental situation, it is still a scary thought that at a click of a button, many people can have a certain idea of your life at this exact moment.
The steps you outline are perfect ways to keep a more protected social media presence. I have never accepted a friend request without being very clear about who it is and how I know them. When I see people with a thousand friends, I am aghast. I don’t think I’ve even met that many people in my lifetime, let alone recall their names. I think a good rule of thumb with personal social media is to keep it small and keep it manageable. Know who you are speaking with, and in line with this, know what your privacy settings look like in regards to what people can see.
Are there any protections or additional security tricks that you have implemented in your own profiles that might not have popped up in your research this week? If so, please share!
Hi Nashrid,
DeleteThanks for your post! As I shared above, the one tool I've found extremely helpful was the option to review posts on Facebook. Also this week I became aware that you can have private boards on Pinterest. I think this is a great option because it gives users the option to personalize their boards without others seeing. Have you come across any other security tricks or additional privacy setting this week that you weren't previously aware of?
Nicole
Hey Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI thought your personal story added a lot to your post. I am very sorry to hear that that happened to you. In researching for my post I found a number of people who had similar things happen to them due to them posting where they were.
Another point that you made about the number of friends you have was good. I have always found it odd when I saw people with 2,000 plus friends. It reminds me of this great clip that I think you should check out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foJkm2HA10E
Hi Daniel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post! I always enjoy Jimmy Kimmel and he makes a great point how you can tell who's really your friend on Facebook. The idea of National Unfriend day is actually a pretty good. I think everyone could benefit from going through their Facebook friends and weeding out who's not actually your friend. Hopefully Jimmy Kimmel gave a lot of people the right idea after watching that skit and they followed suit by unfriending those on their Facebook accounts that weren't relevant. Thanks for your post!
Nicole