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Permalink Reply by Terry Loving on May 16, 2010 at 9:56am

Thank you for this extremely important reminder. Identity theft is a huge concern - ask anyone who has been through it.

With the "new" changes on Facebook - your settings are automatically set as "share with all". It has become very important to go into your profile > Account > Privacy Settings and "Opt out" of sharing any of the information you do not wish public.David McKenzie posted a specific help for this recently here on Launchpad.

Consider when sharing any information on line that is is public and search-able.
Status posts on Facebook and Twitter are permanently placed into the flow so be mindful of what you post.

Google offers a status feature http://www.google.com/alerts - they will search the web for any mentions of your name and/or your business (actually anything you wish to receive alerts for) and report back to you by email so you can monitor any web content that is mentioning you or your business. This has proven helpful to be aware of content you have not authorized, or information that may have a negative impact say as a potential employer searches for information on you or someone using your name giving away your intellectual property.

For example - you may have a very "clean" profile on Facebook yet all it takes is someone who has access to an article or video that shows you in a less desirable light to post it on line and "Tag" you - reference you - in connection with it, allowing it to show up in the "friends" in the viral network and their connections.

Social Media and all of the applications can be excellent tools. We do need to know what precautions are available and make use of them. I am afraid though, that for many of us "the cat is out of the bag" . Retrieving the information is more difficult than not putting it out there in the first place.

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Permalink Reply by C.A.T. on May 16, 2010 at 12:06pm

Thanks so much! I have long been aware of all you wrote and more. But continue to see others post and share things that could surely cause problems. I wish all could be aware of this.

I remind others all the time; "Anything in writing is public"!

And...It isn't only identity theft that is the problem...Information shared causes many other ongoing problems also such as relationship interference, kidnapping, sexual assaults, stalking, harassment, job hiring decisions...and many more!

Also, even though one doesn't share a name, birthday or address, there are other things that cause problems also such as photos, especially descriptions and license plates showing on vehicles or home addresses. Especially dangerous to share photos of your kids, or any kids and then sharing videos or updates about school functions, or church functions etc. that you may or have attended.

It's really a shame we can't just openly share...But in today's world...it just isn't safe~

Take care and be safe~

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