A long time ago (on the “feels like index”) last year we looked at some Facebook security settings you should check on your account. If you need a refresher on what I said go here, rd.dblclx.com/2hVbumC, to take a look again.
Today we will take a look at some of the personal things you need to think about before sharing. First, I will mention your kids, grandkids, you know those little people in your family. I cannot encourage you enough to not post many pictures of your kids. You may think they are innocuous and cute but you may be giving away a lot of information. Especially over time. Take the family whose young son was kidnapped. They had only posted pictures about him on FB and other sites for his first few years of growing up. The first day to school. Many little league shots. They mentioned a couple of his great teachers in elementary school. Mom talked about how Wednesdays she had worked out at the local gym with pics of her friends and herself. Over time the kidnapper found out, even though it was never specifically mentioned, the boy’s school, his grade level, what position he played on the team, what days/times he practiced, his friends, his mom and her friends and where he was supposed to go on Wednesdays after school. Put it together and you know how that worked. Be very, very careful what you are posting.
Next, do not accept friends you do not know. Many people are just selling you stuff on FB and will blanket as many people as they can for friend requests. When you accept, you and all of your friends can be blasted with offers. Use common sense, if you do not know or remember their names they are not quite up to being a "friend" anyway. If the guy is from Gondwanaland and you do not know anyone there – ignore him, you will not hurt his feelings.
Keep in mind that if you secure your Facebook site to not allow anyone but friends to see your posts that is good. However, their friends can see their comments on your posts and their friends can see theirs and on-and-on. Your posts can end up anywhere.
Now time for one of the biggest no-nos. Never, never post pictures or talk about your vacation until you are back. Why? Because there are sites out there that just look for people talking about being away from home so that the nefarious bunch out there can remove your TVs, motorcycles or anything else in your home while you are away. At one time, there was a site, "PleaseRobMe" that had a search going on Twitter and Yelp, letting burglars know what houses were empty.
The last concern is not just limited to what you post on FB, Twitter and Yelp. Think about when you are out and publicly post about a great restaurant you are at, or how you are meeting some old friends for bowling…or whatever. You are letting the world know you are out and where you are. Be safe out there, would you?
