Social Networking saefty precautions

Things should keep in mind when using social networks.

1. Never use the same passwords that you use at work on a social networking site.
2. Limit usage of social networking sites to personal use only. Do not write about work issues. Always assume everyone in the world will be able to see what you’re writing even if the site limits your post to your friends exclusively.
3. Try to avoid mentioning where you work; so that if you mention something you thought innocent (but that might be valuable information for hackers) they will not know who to target.
4. Be wary of what you’re posting, if you use your pet’s name as a password anywhere do not post about it on your social networking sites naming it.
5. Do not log on to your social network page from public computers such as internet cafés where someone might have installed a key logger and would later get access to your credentials.
6. Do not automatically trust that posts are from who they claim they are; if your workmate sends you a private message asking for some confidential information first verify that he/she did really send you that message as their account might have been compromised.
7. Do not send confidential information through a social networking site even if someone who has legitimate access to that information asks you to. See point number 2.
8. Beware of what links you click and what software you download and install. Do not trust links/software sent by your friends implicitly as they themselves might not be aware it includes malware or their account might have been compromised.
9. Always be sceptical and wary. If someone asks to be friends on a social networking site and the profile appears to match a work mate, check personally with that person before accepting him as he could be an imposter. Also be sceptical of any offers or prizes you might have been told you won, they might actually be phishing attacks.
10. Ensure your computer is up to date and has good antivirus protection; social networking sites are frequent targets of malware attacks.

Things Never do on Facebook

1.Using a weak password

The first thing that one should never have in Facebook is a weak password. With so much of your personal information at stake it is essential to have a strong password. Avoid names or words that can be found in a dictionary.

2.Never give your complete birth date in your profile

Another thing that you should never do on Facebook is give your full date of birth in your profile. Your complete date of birth is just what identity thieves may require to potentially gain access to your bank or credit card account.

In case you have already done it, here's how to edit the info: Go to your profile page and click on the Info tab, then on Edit Information. Under the Basic Information section, choose to show only the month and day or no birthday at all.

3.Overlooking useful privacy controls

It is imperative to restrict access for almost everything on Facebook. It is critical to provide restricted access to your personal info (including religious views and family information) and photos to only your family and friends. Also, avoid giving contact information like phone number and address.

4.Announcing that you'll be away from home

This again can be dangerous and is akin to putting `no one's home' signboard on your door. Wait till you are back home to share details about your wonderful holiday. Also, be always vague about your trip dates.

5.Don't let Search Engines find you

It's easy to find details about anyone these days, courtesy Search engines. Make sure you don't reveal yourself to everyone through these Search engines.

To make sure strangers can't access your page, go to the Search section on Facebook's privacy controls and select Only Friends for Facebook search results. Also, make sure that the box for public search results is not checked.