Thursday, 3 November 2011
What’s your status? 4 out of 5 ex-burglars believe thieves are targeting your home using social media
The article at <http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/media-centre/news-releases/2011/4-out-of-5-ex-burglars-believe-thieves-are-targeting-your-home-using-social-media-522425> claims that social media is being put to use by today’s home burglar. Do you see this negative side to social media?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I know for sure that my statuses on facebook doesn’t mention family holiday trips unlike some users who feel its important to announce their holiday plans to friends and strangers therefore makes it easier for burglars to take advantage on robbing their homes.
ReplyDeletePolice urged residents not to 'advertise' that their homes were empty after burglars targeted at least 12 homes in the past four months.
A police source said that the gang were suspected of using fake names and photos on Facebook and befriending anyone from the Crawley area.
He said: "Many people on Facebook just accept friend requests even if they don't know who they are.
"This is very dangerous, especially when you announce your holiday plans online or post photos of you and your loved ones abroad.
These are the many negative issues arising from social networking sites. Users are allowing the personal information to be easily accessible to strangers and other fake profiles. Also the use of location on mobile phones is also a hazard, some users post a map of where they are located; sometimes even their own homes, which also gives these burglars extra chances to follow your wear about and to enter your home without you even knowing.
Millions of people are affected by identity theft every year. There are various factors that contribute to becoming a victim. Recent research indicates that a combination of factors: a lack of consumer knowledge regarding protecting your identity online; growing comfort with, and trust in, social platform providers; the need for social platforms to generate revenue; and a lack of standards or policing of these standards.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking websites ask for a lot of sensitive information. Most people don’t even realise what they are doing, as they are in a hurry to sign up and join their friends. Facebook has over 750 million users. With so many members, the potential to have access to all this information means Facebook is vulnerable to attack both from inside and outside of the company The following profile elements can be used to steal or misappropriate your identity:
• Full name (particularly your middle name)
• Date of birth (often required)
• Home town
• Relationship status
• School locations and graduation dates
• Pet names
• Other affiliations, interests and hobbies
Source
http://www.eonetwork.org/knowledgebase/specialfeatures/pages/social-media-networks-facilitate-identity-theft-fraud.aspx