Be Careful with Facebook
Courtesy: Yahoo Mail News, Thu, Jul 29 10:21 AM
London, July 29 (IANS) The personal details of 100 million users of social networking website Facebook are now available for download after they were leaked online.
Ron Bowles, an online security consultant, used a code to scan Facebook profiles, collected data not hidden by users' privacy settings, and compiled a list, which is now available as a downloadable file, containing the URL of every 'searchable' Facebook user's profile, their name and unique ID, the BBC reported Thursday.
Bowles said he published the data to highlight privacy issues, but Facebook retorted by saying the information was already public.
'People who use Facebook own their information and have the right to share only what they want, with whom they want, and when they want,' the website said.
'In this case, information that people have agreed to make public was collected by a single researcher and already exists in Google, Bing, other search engines, as well as on Facebook.'
'No private data is available or has been compromised,' Facebook said.
The list has already been downloaded by over 1,000 people on Pirate Bay, the world's biggest file-sharing website.
One user, going by the name of 'lusifer69', said the list was 'awesome and a little terrifying'.
But internet watchdog Privacy International said Facebook had been given ample warning that something like this would happen.
'Facebook should have anticipated this attack and put measures in place to prevent it,' Simon Davies, an official of Privacy International, said.
'It is inconceivable that a firm with hundreds of engineers couldn't have imagined a trawl of this magnitude and there's an argument to be heard that Facebook have acted with negligence, he said.
Facebook hit 500 million users in June this year.
How Safe You Are With Paradox of Social Networking?
Online networking is a great phenomenon to find and stay in touch with your buddies and kin, but how safe is it really?
World is shrinking day by day. Today we are all easily connected across cities, states and countries not merely by transportation channels but most importantly by internet. Along with emails, video conferences and instant messengers came along social networking sites like facebook, twitter which allow you to connect with your friends across any corner of the world. Moreover you can search your buddies and do chit chats with them at any time. You can provide information about yourself on social sites that may be visible to everyone who’s a member of the site. Individuals of similar interests can get to know each other and even form online groups.
Paradox of social networking
A common name to social networking is facebook, twitter, Orkut, Myspace, which today have a uncounted list of members on each. But still these sites face similar threats, which remain unsolved till date.
Fake Profiles
Anyone on internet can create an account on such social networking sites. Infact one can have more than a single account. With such a huge traffic on such sites it’s hard to delete accounts if they are not in use anymore. Many user create fake accounts disguising someone else. These accounts are used to send spam content or fun messages to flood accounts of another. A victim user face a lot more trouble in handling such activities. In 2006 Orkut faces invisible profiles which were created with HTML codes. Moreover there is much software like Floodtudo which could easily send a spam wave on any account.
Antagonist Groups
Freedom to express views is what social networking is but this creates a lot trouble. Users from similar interest create groups and focus on religion and racism. As a result of which Indian court has issued some notices to Google on anti-religion, anti-national, and anti-ethnic groups.
Privacy & Security
Social network was a step towards connecting people, but more or less a step toward spreading viruses and worms. These worms are malicious codes that are designed for stealing one’s confidential information. In October 2005, MySpace witnessed the spread of the Samy worm. This worm created a friend request and displayed the message “But most of all, Samy is my hero”. In just a few hours millions of friend requests were automatically sent to the creator of the worm. The creator was sentenced to 3 years of probation, on pleading guilty in the court. Another evident example is that of the MW.Orc worm that spread across Orkut since June 2006. This worm steals an individual’s information like username, password and bank details. Due to the increasing risks involved in social networking many sites created locking method like friend lock.
To summarize, social networking is a great avenue to connect people in different parts of the world. The prevailing security issues in these situations are also a big concern. Hence, it is critical that you take onto account all these factors and carry on the mingling!!!
IMPORTANT MEASURES DURING SHOPING ONLINE.
SOME IMPORTANT TIPS ON HOW TO PREVENT MISUSE OF CREDIT CARDS, DEBIT CARDS & ATM CARDS AS WELL AS ON HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTEREST WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE AS FOLLOWS :-
WHEN SHOPPING IN ANY STORE
1. Sign at the back of your cards as soon as they arrive.
2. Carry your cards separately from your wallet, in a zippered compartment, a business card holder, or another small pouch.
3. Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each Bank in a secure place.
4. Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.
5. Destroy personally all incorrect receipts & carbon copies.
6. Save receipts to compare with billing statements.
7. Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.
8. Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.
9. Notify card companies in advance of a change in address.
10. Never lend your card(s) to anyone whosoever.
11. Never leave cards or receipts lying around.
12. Never Sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
13. Never Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.
14. Never Give out your Card Number, CW2 Number & Password over the phone to anyone.
WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE
1. Make sure your web-browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring. These options are not always automatically activated when your computer is set-up, so check your manual or the "Help" option.
2. Check you are using a recent version of your web-browser as they are often included with better security features.
3. Before purchasing from a website, make a record of the retailer's contact details, including the street address and working landline phone number. If these details are not available on the website, consider going elsewhere to buy. Do not rely on the e-mail address alone.
4. Do not enter personal details unless the security icon is displayed (this is a small padlock that normally appears at the bottom of your browser when you begin your transaction over the Internet.) You can click on the padlock to see if the retailer has an encryption certificate. This should explain the type and extent of security and encryption it uses. Only use companies that have an encryption certificate and use secure transaction technology. The address of the page where you enter personal details should also start https://.
5. If you have any queries or concerns, telephone the company before giving them your card details to reassure yourself that it is legitimate.
6. Print out your order and consider keeping copies of the retailer's terms and conditions and returns policy. Be aware that there may well be additional charges such as Postage and VAT.
7. When buying from overseas never err on the side of caution and remember that it may be difficult to seek redress, if problems arise.
8. Check statements from your bank or card issuer carefully as soon as you receive them . Raise any discrepancies with the retailer concerned in the first instance. If you find any transaction on your statement that you are certain you did not make, contact your card issuer immediately.
9. Ensure that you are fully aware of any payment commitments you are entering into, including whether you are instructing a single payment or a series of payments.
10. Never disclose your card's PIN number to anyone, including your colleagues, friends, family members, people claiming to be from your Bank or the Police etc., and never write it down or send it over the Internet.
11. Never Give out your Card Number, CW2 Number & Password over the phone to anyone.
12. If you have the slightest doubts about using your card, find another method of payment.
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOUR ALERTNESS & PREVENTIVE APPROACH WILL ALWAYS SAVE YOU FROM TROUBLES THAT MAY PLAGUE YOU FINANCIALLY & OTHERWISE AT A LATER DATE.
The above information received through mail from
POLICE WATCH INDIA
Rajendra Dhar
Hony. Editor-in-Chief, Legal Advisor
& Chief Investigator.
Security Tips
CHILDREN :
Do not give out identifying information such as Name, Home address, School Name or Telephone Number in a chat room. Do not send your photograph to anyone on the Net without first checking with your parents or guardians. Do not respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent or threatening. Never arrange a face-to-face meeting without telling parents or guardians. Remember that people online may not be who they seem to be.
PARENTS :
Use content filtering softwares on your PC to protect children from pornography, gambling, hate speech, drugs and alcohol.
There is also software to establish time controls for individual users (for example blocking usage after a particular time at night) and log surfing activities allowing parents to see which site the child has visited. Use this software to keep track of the activities of your children.
GENERAL INFORMATION :
Don't delete harmful communications (emails, chat logs, posts etc). These may help provide vital information about the identity of the person behind these.
Try not to panic.
If you feel any immediate physical danger of bodily harm, call your local police.
Avoid getting into huge arguments online during chat or discussions with other users.
Remember that all other internet users are strangers. You do not know who you are chatting with. So be careful and polite.
Be extremely careful about how you share personal information about yourself online.
Choose your chatting nickname carefully so as not to offend others.
Do not share personal information in public spaces anywhere online, do not give it to strangers, including in e-mail or chat rooms. Do not use your real name or nickname as your screen name or user ID. Pick a name that is gender and age neutral. And do not post personal information as part of any user profile.
Be extremely cautious about meeting online acquaintances in person. If you choose to meet, do so in a public place and take along a friend.
Make sure that your ISP and Internet Relay Chart (IRC) network have an acceptable use policy that prohibits cyber-stalking. And if your network fails to respond to your complaints, consider switching to a provider that is more responsive to user complaints.
If a situation online becomes hostile, log off or surf elsewhere. If a situation places you in fear, contact a local law enforcement agency.
Save all communications for evidence. Do not edit or alter them in any way. Also, keep a record of your contacts with Internet System Administrators or Law Enforcement Officials.
Filtering, blocking, and ratings
Filtering and blocking programs are most commonly used to prevent children from accessing inappropriate material and to keep employees productive on the Internet.
There are two types of systems:
"Client-based" filtering software, which is installed on the user's computer.
"Server-based" filtering software, which is installed on a central computer, server, local area network or at the Internet Service Provider.
Filtering and blocking programs generally offer a variety of options. They may:
Restrict or block access to specific Internet services, including category restrictions.
Set daily/weekly time limits and hours of operation.
Keep children away from chat rooms or restrict their ability to send or read e-mail.
Restrict dissemination of outgoing information (e.g., names, addresses, telephone numbers).
Monitor, track and maintain a log of Internet activity.
Allow parents to track:
Where their children go online.
How much time they spend online.
How much time they spend off-line (e.g., playing games).
Whether or not it is appropriate to use one of these programs is a personal decision.
If you do use such a program, you'll probably need to explain to your child why you feel that it is necessary.
You should also choose a program whose criteria reflects your family values.
Be sure that it is configured so that it doesn't block sites that you want your children to be able to visit.
It is important to realize that filtering programs cannot protect your children from all the dangers of cyberspace.
Programs can be "defeated".
No program can block out every inappropriate site.
You should re-evaluate it periodically to make sure that it is working for your family.
Regardless of whether or not you are using a filtering program, you should still make sure that your children are following the rules which you have established. Filtering programs are not a substitute for good judgment or parental involvement.
Ratings
Sites are rated either by the web site operators themselves or by third party rating services.
Web browsers/other software follow the "PICS" (Platform for Internet Content Selection) protocol to read the site ratings, allowing access only to those selected by parents.
Different rating entities use different categories to rate sites.
Few Tips of Net Usage
Postby superadmin » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:30 am
The Internet is the global storehouse for information. It is like having the biggest library in the World at your fingertip -
Do's
* Use the net to increase your knowledge, to do class work better
* Visit interesting places sitting at your computer - visit the Taj or the Smithsonian Institution or the Louvre in Paris - all without stirring from your chair.
* This is what the net is all about-an explosion of information
* Use the net to keep in touch with children from other parts of the Country or other Countries-make new pen friends; collect information. Many on-line service providers host chat rooms especially for children, monitored continuously for safety.
* The net is a global community - without any barriers, distances, boundaries.
* Be careful about talking to "strangers" on a computer network.
* Respect privacy on the net. You may have known the password of some other user- your friend/schoolmate. But do not use it to read their mail or send mail from their ID. Remember somebody else can also do this to you.
* Use the net to find information about schools and colleges-events or courses they may be offering. Many of them offer you a virtual guided tour of their facilities. Take advantage of this. This will help you take a decision when planning your future
* Be careful about what you download from the net. Use a virus scan before the download as many programs may contain virus-this has the potential to destroy your system.
Don'ts :
* Do not give your password to anybody. Somebody who is malicious can cause great harm to you and your reputation. It is like leaving your house open for a stranger and walking away.
* When talking to somebody new on the net, do not give away personal information-like numbers of the credit card used by your parents, your home addresses/ phone numbers and such other personal information.
* If you feel uncomfortable or threatened when somebody on the net feeds you an improper or indecent message inform your parents or elders.
* Do not break into somebody else's computer and worse still change things; you are probably destroying a lifetime of hard work by somebody. You may be intelligent but use your intelligence for better things. Somebody else can be as ruthless and as intelligent to break into your system and destroy your creations as well.
* Do not copy a program that is copyrighted on the net. It is illegal. You are actually stealing somebody else's hard work. There is a lot of illegally available material on the net. Do not use it yourself.
Hacking
Hacking is an offence under section 66 of the IT Act. Hacking attracts serious penalties which include a jail term of 3 years, a fine of Rs. 2 Lakh or both.
