Logging On [CEID100 Final PT2]

Authored by Samantha Lee Chan

Photo: Composite by Winston Chow, original images by Enoc vt via Wikimedia Commons (SOURCE: http://bit.ly/1kiej0u and http://bit.ly/1phfWLH) 

Social media is a trend that has allowed us to connect with one another through the online world. This makes way for many positive opportunities, such as interacting with individuals across the globe that share your same interests. This can contribute to social change, as well as innovation and new ideas that would not have existed without the Internet.

Although there are many benefits to social media, it is important to be aware of its permanence. What you share on the Internet can be used against you, so it is necessary to maintain an online identity that will not be destructive. Once something is uploaded to the Internet, it is very difficult to completely erase.

You have a lot of power to protect your online identity through what you share. It is important to companies to keep your information private to maintain customer loyalty, however your information is not always completely secure. Information such as spending and searching habits can be sold to third parties to help further their business. Sometimes attacks to a company’s system can cost a widespread compromise of user information. Examples of this are seen in the hack of Sony’s PlayStation Network in April 2011, as well as the more recent hack of eBay that caused millions of users to change their passwords. Both cases exposed private information such as home addresses and credit card numbers.

The best way of managing what you share is to be your authentic self, while keeping in mind if what you are about to post is appropriate to expose to the public. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before sharing online:

1.     Future employers have the potential to access this information; will what I am about to share have the ability to cost me a job?

2.     Is it necessary to share this information? Where can I withhold information about myself to maintain anonymity?

3.     Is this what I would like to be known for? Can this negatively impact my future?

Next Part: Secure Connection Part 1