This will make you think twice about accepting that random friend request or writing one of those [insert appropriate adjective] “25 Random Things About Me” Facebook notes. CNN reports that there has been an increased number of media reports of impersonation on Facebook. (CLICK HERE to read the full article). Someone hijacked Seattle resident Bryan Rutberg’s Facebook status update a few weeks ago and tricked one of Bryan’s friends into sending him over $1,000; in Wisconsin a man is being prosecuted for allegedly posing as a woman to get high school boys to send him nude photos, and then used the photos to try to force the boys to hook up with him.
And let’s not forget about those lame-ass spam wall posts that many of us have gotten from from a friend whose profile has been hacked: “Hey, did you know your profile pic is all over blahblahblah.com?”
I don’t know about you, but I miss the days when Facebook was simpler. Remember when it was just for college students—not your 13-year-old little sister or your mom’s 57-year-old best friend. (Or for that matter, your mom?) Remember when you didn’t have to worry about the Vice-President of Human Resources at your job, or the job you’re applying for, checking out your pics from freshman year? Remember when you didn’t have to worry about being stalked, spammed, impersonated, tricked, cheated? Yeah, I’m having a hard time remembering too.
So since the good ole days of Facebook are long gone and, let’s be real, most of us are too addicted to deactivate our accounts, then here are some tips from CNN and me to help make your Facebook experience a little less stressful.
CNN’s tips:
• Be suspicious of anyone — even friends — who ask for money over the Internet. Verify their circumstances independently, either by calling them directly, or checking with mutual friends.
• Choose a strong password and use unique credentials for each of your Web accounts. Facebook says hackers tap into one site and then try to reuse passwords on others.
• Use an up-to-date browser that features an anti-phishing blacklist.
• Use and run anti-virus software on your computer.
• Reset your Facebook password if you suspect your account has been compromised.
• Have more than one contact e-mail address. This will help if one of them is hacked.
Travers’ tips:
- If you don’t want your mother, father, employer, ex-girl/boyfriend, aunt, uncle, granny, neighbor, nosy co-worker, professor, preacher, etc. to know—-DON’T PUT IT ON FACEBOOK!
- Unless you know the person, or they have several trustworthy friends in common with you, ignore that friend request.
- Always remember to LOGOUT of your account after using it, even if you’re on your personal computer.
- Utilize the privacy settings—you can be “friends” with someone without them knowing all of your facebook business
- When you write notes, create photo albums, etc. make sure that the settings allow only the people who you want to view your content to be able to do so.
- Always use your instincts and common sense before posting, accepting, adding, joining, etc. If it feels wrong, it most likely is. If you think you might regret it later on, you probably will.
- Watch what you write on people’s walls and what you say in the comment sections of their albums, videos, and notes. Remember that those posts can be seen by people who are not your “friend” or your friend.
- You can use all of these precautions and still get t’d. So again I say, don’t put it on Facebook unless you’re prepared for EVERYONE to see it.
- Apply this Fran Lebowitz quote to your Facebook usage: “Spilling your guts is as attractive as it sounds.”
Now I’m curious, have you had any shady Facebook experiences? Have you been impersonated, spammed, tricked, stalked? Do you miss the old days of Facebook? Hit me up in the comments section (NOT on Facebook) to break it down.
—Travers
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