Facebook and Twitter can make you a burglary target

[kenny]

Criminals are using these sites to learn about you

Amazingly people post their birthdate, employer, what they own, where they live and when they plan to go on vacation.
People, especially younger people, get too comfortable on these sites and let their guard down.
Criminals must be laughing their heads off about this.

Insurance companies now can do a quick search to see if you are on these sites and raise your insurance rates.

I just deleted my Facebook account last night because of this, and also because it gave me the creeps when I registed they asked me for the password for my private email account

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Story

 

[beechezz]

I have often thought of this Kenny. Therefore, I do not post my birthdate, where I work, or where I live. Unfortunately we live in a society of cyber-criminals.
Thanks for posting this article, I will pass it on to my friends and family.

 

[purrfectpear]

It can make you a target for a lot worse. Versace was killed because his habits and itinerary were published and so well known in South Beach. If you are going to tell the whole world where you are and what you are doing "I''m going to Whole Foods now", then realize that you just made it that much easier for someone who might have targeted your home, or YOU.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

That''s why I refuse to set up facebook, myspace or twitter accounts. Also, if you apply for a job, the employer often looks on those sites to see if you have an account and what you say.

 

[kenny]

You know, I hate to bring this up but I worry about PS GTGs.
I mean, we wear expensive diamonds and then go and publish on the Internet for the world to see the date, time and location of a GTG.
It really worries me.

Let me add that I am not the overly paranoid type.
I have met many people in real life based on our meeting on hobby-related sites.
But these are people I have conversed with on a daily basis for years.
I have even accepted invitations to stay with in their homes while traveling.
These are families with kids.
The Internet can be a wonderful way to bring wonderful people together; you just have to be careful.

So I am an exceptionally involved person when it comes to meeting people on the net.
99.99% of people are nice and trustworthy.
(Of course these hobby-related sites are not for perfect theft-targets like diamonds.)

 

[Nomsdeplume]

It''s important to use the privacy settings on these sites and ONLY add people you know in real life. My profile is blocked to all people who don''t personally know me, and even some of the people on my contact list have limited access to my profile.
Posting your home address etc anywhere on the internet is very foolish.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

This is why I'm super picky about who is a friend on Facebook. There are only 32 people I have and I know all of them in real life. Friends of mine do post about being on vacations I always think it's something to be more careful about especially when having 100+ people on a "friend" list.

People do talk in RL though. . .one neighbor I had NEVER talked to came up and told me she would be gone for 10 days. I thought she was crazy for telling me that, especially since I didn't even know her name or anything.

I know of two families on vacation this weekend. Word spreads no matter what!

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 8/29/2009 12:19:59 PM
Author:kenny
Criminals are using these sites to learn about you

Amazingly people post their birthdate, employer, what they own, where they live and when they plan to go on vacation.
People, especially younger people, get too comfortable on these sites and let their guard down.
Criminals must be laughing their heads off about this.

Insurance companies now can do a quick search to see if you are on these sites and raise your insurance rates.

I just deleted my Facebook account last night because of this, and also because it gave me the creeps when I registed they asked me for the password for my private email account

.

Story

Really, Kenny???! They asked FOR THE PASSWORD of your private e-mail account???! What possible use for that would they have????

 

[kenny]

Date: 8/29/2009 1:19:41 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 8/29/2009 12:19:59 PM

Author:kenny

Criminals are using these sites to learn about you


Amazingly people post their birthdate, employer, what they own, where they live and when they plan to go on vacation.

People, especially younger people, get too comfortable on these sites and let their guard down.

Criminals must be laughing their heads off about this.


Insurance companies now can do a quick search to see if you are on these sites and raise your insurance rates.


I just deleted my Facebook account last night because of this, and also because it gave me the creeps when I registed they asked me for the password for my private email account

.


Story

Really, Kenny???! They asked FOR THE PASSWORD of your private e-mail account???! What possible use for that would they have????

It is a recent thing they have been doing.
They search your email's inbox and sent box for names and email addresses of people who match FB members.
They they use that info to make their system more robust.

They promise they do not retain your password.

It just freaked me out too much.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 8/29/2009 1:21:09 PM
Author: kenny

Date: 8/29/2009 1:19:41 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 8/29/2009 12:19:59 PM

Author:kenny

Criminals are using these sites to learn about you


Amazingly people post their birthdate, employer, what they own, where they live and when they plan to go on vacation.

People, especially younger people, get too comfortable on these sites and let their guard down.

Criminals must be laughing their heads off about this.


Insurance companies now can do a quick search to see if you are on these sites and raise your insurance rates.


I just deleted my Facebook account last night because of this, and also because it gave me the creeps when I registed they asked me for the password for my private email account

.


Story

Really, Kenny???! They asked FOR THE PASSWORD of your private e-mail account???! What possible use for that would they have????

It is a recent thing they have been doing.
They search your inbox for names and email addresses of people who match FB members.
They they use that info to make their system more robust.

They promise they do not retain your password.

It just freaked me out too much.

I think that''s ridiculous!!! Nobody has any right to be searching through anybody else''s address book for any kind of "matches"??! And to make their site more "robust"???! Whattheheck does THAT mean???!

I don''t have a Facebook account, just never got around to it yet... but maybe now I never will. I just don''t like that policy. I guess you can change your PW later... (right?)... but still. Just doesn''t sit well with me!

So has everyone who is on FB had to give that info?

 

[kenny]

More robust means more a more powerful and successful system which results in more traffic.

When you give them your email password they can search your in and out boxes.
They find out that John Doe44 sent you an email.
I suspect they may send John Doe44, who is a facebook member, a message saying Lynn B wants to be your friend, or we have found Lynn B.
You and John Doe44 will spend more time on FB so they make more money from their advertisers.

People have told me that I could have continued my registration without divulging my email password. -But he screen did not tell me it was optional.
Not being psychic I had no way of knowing that.
When I got to that stage of the registration I just turned my computer off.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Yeah - some third party apps in facebook will ask for information that I don''t think is appropriate, so I just cancel the app.

I am very particular about who can and can''t view my information. Everything is private - "friends only." And, I don''t add friends that I don''t personally know. You have to really go in there and change all the privacy settings becasue some will default to "everyone" or "friends and your network" - so pretty much everyone who lives in your same city can view everything - I went in and changed ALL of that.

I agree, there are malicious people out there who use this information for no good, so you really have to work hard to protect yourself if you still want to use these sites.

 

[Laila619]

Scary stuff. This is a good warning to keep your info private and not befriend random people you don''t know and trust.

 

[*Danielle*]

This exactly why both my myspace and facebook accounts are private and I know every person I have as a friend personally.

Of course you will always take a risk by befriending people on the internet. Hopefully we are all smart enough to know what we are getting into

 

[LGK]

Date: 8/29/2009 12:42:09 PM
Author: Madam Bijoux
That''s why I refuse to set up facebook, myspace or twitter accounts. Also, if you apply for a job, the employer often looks on those sites to see if you have an account and what you say.

Oh yes. I always google anyone who applies at my work. One guy, who seemed totally normal and didn''t set off any red flags when I interviewed him, had pictures on facebook of himself smoking crack. Guess what? Totally didn''t hire him!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 8/29/2009 11:50:21 PM
Author: LittleGreyKitten

Date: 8/29/2009 12:42:09 PM

Author: Madam Bijoux

That''s why I refuse to set up facebook, myspace or twitter accounts. Also, if you apply for a job, the employer often looks on those sites to see if you have an account and what you say.

Oh yes. I always google anyone who applies at my work. One guy, who seemed totally normal and didn''t set off any red flags when I interviewed him, had pictures on facebook of himself smoking crack. Guess what? Totally didn''t hire him!

Oh My LGK..what a silly move, lol..

I don''t have an account with any of these networks - I''m with Kenny, the one time I was curious and went to set up FB, I didn''t like all the questions, so just didn''t do it.
I really don''t have any desire to, and these stories reinforce that.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

All an identity thief needs to know is your date of birth, real name/maiden name for married women, the names of your parents and the place where you were born in order to steal your identity. None of that information should ever be posted on any public forum.

 

[perry]

Date: 8/30/2009 8:02:08 AM
Author: Madam Bijoux
All an identity thief needs to know is your date of birth, real name/maiden name for married women, the names of your parents and the place where you were born in order to steal your identity. None of that information should ever be posted on any public forum.

They don''t even need that much. It just makes it easier for them if you easily provide that information on the internet.

In actuallity; I doubt that the internet and various forums and social networking sites have increased the overall crime rate. All they have done is allow stupid people to make it easier for the criminals.

Identity theft is not a new crime. It is thousands of years old. Before the internet newspapers and county records were the principal source of information. If someone goes down to the county courthouse they can find all for almost everyone in the public records (including SS numbers for many adults). Before the internet criminals had to personally invest time and energy into physically scoping out targets. Many criminals still do things the old way - and almost all crime is local anyway. Did you see that nicely dressed lady with that great jewelry (car, etc) - or that cute looking shy girl - Looks like a target; lets ask some questions, jot down the license number, or follow them. It really is not that hard to identify who you are and where you live - and all kinds of detailed information once you are visually ID''d as a possible target. It just typcially takes more time than browsing on the internet and identifying possible targets.

At the other extreem - if someone really knows what they are doing - they can identify you in detail by all of the things you do post with research. Perry is my real name - but is it my first, middle, or last name? I freely post the city I live in, my basic occupation, my hobbies, life events, major accomplishments, etc. Don''t we all. It is possible to build a profile of a person - then through local research identify who that person really is - and contact them; even without knowing their exact name.

Here is another example from long ago (pre-internet days): I got "dumped" by a gal - and everyone had advised her that the best way was to just dissapear and since she was planning on relocating to another city to just move now and never mention a word to me. Well I was concerned about her... and I knew which city she had relocated to (city of about 50,000 people a couple hours away). So I drove to that city about a week later and in just a few hours knowing her habbits was able to locate the exact house she lived in, that she had a job at company x, should be at work now - but gets off at z, etc. I was thus able to have flowers delivered and waiting for her when she got home, and was able to have a talk about what was going on and why later that day. We are still friends decades later.

Thieves have always targeted people on vacation or just away for the weekend. Most of that is determined by local casing or local information. Some group just did well and is going to a state or national compitition or convention --- Its local news - along with the names of the group members. Most people are at work during the day - or travel on holidays. Not hard to figure out, etc.

So internet security is really a ballance: We all want to tell some stuff about us in order to have an meaning and to get usefull interaction. How much is too much - how much makes you a very easy target.

I avoid posting my address, phone number, and full name. I am quite aware that someone can build a profile of me and dig all of that up (and it has happened - but someone who just wanted to prove they could do it after a similar post). In forums that allow it - I do list a email address and I have found that to be benificial. Other than that, I try not to make my house "too attractive" to home burglers (I have a far from perfect yard, have an older vehicle in back - intentionally - etc). I avoid carrying flashy stuff in certain environments - but think nothing of carrying a thousand dollars cash (or more) wearing a faded T-shirt, old shorts, and sandles (if buying used items - or dealing with artist or craftsman - cash is king). I do not dress up when carrying a lot of cash - I just tend to carry it when wearing my normal very casual daily clothing. I note that I don''t do this on a routine - perhaps once or twice a year - and you will never hear in advance on the internet that I''m going off to buy something that would involve me carrying a lot of cash.

I am also aware that there is a certain amount of random attacks as well - and I might be one of them. I have plans for that as well - which may or may not work; but, knowing I''m succeptable and that I have options in certain cituations if I''m appropriately prepared means that I face less risk. Here is one I''ll mention that almost anyone can prepare for. How do you prevent yourselves from a "stick up" or "mugging." This probably has little to do with how you dress - and these people are often drug addicts or other people who just need a few bucks - and you probably cannot prevent yourself from it. So, have a 50 or 100 handy that if you are "stopped" you can just pull out, hand them, and say - here''s my money; OK. In the vast majority of cases they will take it and split (and 50 or 100 cash is far more valuable than credit cards). It will help if it is not in your wallet. The other rule - dont fight over jewelry. If they want the watch or necklass, etc. Just give it to them (or offer it to them with or in lue of the cash). I acutually know a person who has done this and walked away unharmed and untramitized. 50 or 100 is very cheap "insurance"

Reasonable prudence is all it takes.

Have a great day,

Perry

 

[that_someone_special]

Because if this thread, I deleted A TON of pictures from fb and personal info.

Yesterday I made $5k in computer purchases (iMac, Macbook Pro, TimeCapsule + a ton more of other goodies) and in my excitement posted pictures! When I went in, I noticed I posted my recent camera purchase on there, pearls, diamonds,.... I was cataloging my items for criminals. I basically made a check list- "Did you get the iMac? No? Ok, get that.. I know there was also a few ipods and speakers to steal as well"

So um, yeah. poof. Gone. Except for this site, but no one knows me here.. so shhh!

 

[that_someone_special]

Date: 8/29/2009 11:50:21 PM
Author: LittleGreyKitten

Date: 8/29/2009 12:42:09 PM

Author: Madam Bijoux

That''s why I refuse to set up facebook, myspace or twitter accounts. Also, if you apply for a job, the employer often looks on those sites to see if you have an account and what you say.

Oh yes. I always google anyone who applies at my work. One guy, who seemed totally normal and didn''t set off any red flags when I interviewed him, had pictures on facebook of himself smoking crack. Guess what? Totally didn''t hire him!

OH MY GOD!!!! People! And their kids!!!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 8/29/2009 1:26:14 PM
Author: Lynn B


So has everyone who is on FB had to give that info?

no, I have never been asked for that info. you can also make your settings so private that no one can see anything except the people who you allow. you can also have it set where no one can find or contact you by even searching your name. some people will leave their info open to the public as a whole which is crazy. i love FB though and how it allows me to keep up with my friends in ways that I just wouldn''t be able to otherwise.

 

[kenny]

How timely.

NY Times has an article on how people are leaving Facebook.
I guess I started a trend. Hahaha.

Click

 

[purrfectpear]

I work with an older man who someone discovered was a cross dresser by finding pics of him online. I swear I can never look at him without visualizing him in ladies undies now

Ignorance was bliss.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Interesting article..but it''s easily remedied if you set everything private, private..no public search, nothing. And I agree with you kenny and everyone else here..be smart..don''t post your address..don''t post your phone number..don''t have 298328932982982 friends, etc.

 

[musey]

Date: 8/29/2009 12:19:59 PM
Author:kenny
I just deleted my Facebook account last night because of this, and also because it gave me the creeps when I registed they asked me for the password for my private email account

.

They did?? WEIRD! I registered back when it was new new new (I think it had only been up and running a couple of months?) and they didn't ask for my email's password. I've changed my email address since then, and it hasn't asked me for a password at that point either. Are you sure it was a requirement to sign up (there are a LOT of sketchy things they ask of you that are 100% OPTIONAL)? I just can't imagine how or why they would require such information.


My question is, how is it that criminals are accessing this information on facebook? Everyone I am "friends" with I know personally, and they are the only people who can see more than a thumbnail image, name and network when they try to access my page. So are they hacking the systems, or are the criminals peoples' "friends?"

Even still, you can (and should) be conscious of the information you provide on your fbook page. I do not have address, phone number, etc. on my page (or birthdate, but not for security concerns). A large portion of people are on my "limited profile" list, basically anyone I'm not close enough to trust with seeing even what info I provide on my profile (which isn't very much). It's very important to understand and utilize the security settings.

Twitter is another story, much more public - people (for some reason that I will never understand) seem to use it as a way to announce their every move - but one would have to make the connection between random twitter user and real life person, which again, you'd likely have to be friends to do.