Social Media & Security:

How to stay safe while you network online

Weather you want to find and old friend or build
new career contacts, social networking sites are
an easy, convenient way to connect. However,
there are risks to be aware of too. Use the tips
below to stay informed-and safe.

Facebook, Twitter and Live Journal recently reported they were the targets of “denial-of-service” attacks. Hackers launch these attacks by infecting hundreds or thousands of so-called “zombie” computers with malicious software. Once the computers are infected, hackers remotely instruct them to simultaneously attack a targeted Web site, flooding it with so much traffic that it becomes inaccessible.

Koobface is another pervasive threat. It began on Facebook, but now targets a host of other social networks. This worm sends fake messages and links to friends, usually encouraging them to watch a video. Depending on the site, the worm can also post infected links on walls and changes the account user’s “Status” by modifying the text and adding a link. Read more about “Koobface: Google it. Not Just for Facebook Anymore”

1. Be skeptical. Treat every social networking link with caution – especially the ones promising a link to a video.

2. Guard your personal information. Use privacy settings to restrict who can see your sensitive information, or consider omitting all personal information from your profile.

3. Choose passwords wisely. Use different passwords for each of your sites; select a randomized combination of numbers and letters.

4. Have antivirus and antispyware protection. Even if you think you’re not infected, scan your machine for dormant viruses with a free scan; and protect your PC with an Internet security suite that includes antivirus, antispyware, and firewall technologies.

5. Always install updates. If you’re already using antimalware software, be sure to install updates which include the latest malware definitions; do the same with updates to your operating system.

6. Remain vigilant. Malware authors are continually writing new programs to avoid detection, so pay close attention to suspicious behavior.