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Social Media Security Checklist

Would you leave your credit card or social security number lying on a desk in a public library? Most people would probably say that doing such a thing would be absurd. Yet, many people freely put compromising information online or leave various social media accounts open in public places. Although many people may say that leaving personal identification information in public is more serious the reality is that leaving your Facebook page open in a computer lab could be equally as damaging.

Many people share their lives on sites like Facebook. Aside from posting pictures of graduations and changing relationship statuses from “In a Relationship” to “Engaged” or “Married” users post what they had for lunch or even their daily itinerary.

Although it may seem hard to believe, if you do not know what you are doing your personal information could easily be compromised through social media. As with any new technology there are always risks that you must consider. Knowing a few basic steps can allow you to use social media with limited risk.

Security and Privacy Checklist

1)      Be Careful What You Post- There is no need to let everyone know when you will or will not be home or at work. Posting your personal contact information (like a cell phone number) or work or home address could become problematic.

2)      Adjust Personal Setting- There is no need to let everyone have access to everything you post. Facebook allows you to easily decide who can see what on your profile. Consider adjusting your account so that only real “friends” can see your information.

3)      AlwaysMake Sure to Log Off- When using any of your social media accounts on public computers it is critical to log off when you are done. Remember, your account has your name and your face attached to it.

4)      Who To Friend- It is wise to only “friend” people if you know who they are. Although not everyone follows this rule. Often people who have a number of “mutual friends” will accept requests from people they maybe haven’t met in person. Generally people who friend you who have no mutual friends with you are spam. You should always avoid these accounts.

5)      Keep Personal Information Personal- Ever get an email from the Prince of Nigeria? If so, you know the scam. A rich prince is in need of quick money and if you transfer them only a few hundred or thousand dollars they will wire you a fortune. I imagine many people ask how the Prince of Nigeria got their info and ignore this request. Now imagine a personal friend asks a similar favor, you might be more incline to wire money.

As discussed in rule #3 your account has your name and photo. If someone else gets on your account they can easily assume your identity. Neversend financial information through social media even if you know the person.

Using social media can be a lot of fun. It is critical to take it seriously and consider these easy rules when participating. It may save you a lot of time, energy and even money if you do. 

Week Four Post

As Scott says in Chapter Four, “So you want to find a new job via Social Media? You have to stop thinking like an advertiser of a product and start thinking like a publisher of information” (Scott 59).

Marketing oneself is a fine art and a real balancing act. As a public official who just finished running for office, I admit I do this frequently. There is a fine line between marketing and bragging and sometimes this area can be rather grey as well. 

As Scott says, “Create information that people want. Create an online presence that people are eager to consume.”

I run a “like” page for my position on the New PaltzTown Council. Prior to being elected I used it to campaign. My town has only 14,000 people but I now have over 1,000 followers, most of which do live in New Paltz. 

Scotts point on job searching is applicable to what I try to do on my page. I have used it as a forum to highlight my community. For example, I have noticed that my most popular post happen on Thursdays and consistently get between 500 to 1,000+ view. This is because I will do a “Throwback Thursday” for New Paltz. I often post a picture of something in our town from ten to one hundred years ago and I try to enquire if people remember the place I posted. As a result, often people go to my page not for me but to participate in a local discussion that I end up moderating. This nets me more likes, comments, and shares.

To me this is an example of Scotts idea of being a publisher opposed to an advertiser. I end up with an active audience that in the event I need to post something more important, possibly campaign related, I am able to communicate this to a larger crowd. 

These example may not work for everyone but the concepts certainly should. You can become a provider of information by being engaging and telling something about yourself, directly or indirectly. This can allow you to market yourself to achieve a goal of getting a job or in my case running for office (which is also sort of getting a job).