The Price of Sociability (And Stupidity)

If you're a big social networking user, chances are you're more vulnerable to being ripped off, according to a survey conducted by a Web security firm.

From the Boulder County Business Report:

A new study shows that social network users may be more vulnerable to financial loss, identity theft and virus or spyware infection.

Boulder-based Webroot Software Inc., an Internet security company, found 80 percent of the 1,100 survey respondents don't restrict any details in their profiles from search engines, 59 percent don't know who can see their profiles, 32 percent include at least three pieces of personally identifiable information.

Webroot has recorded an increase in attacks on social media in recent months. However, 78 percent of respondents expressed concern over their privacy.

Young adults, between 18 and 29 years old, are more likely to be at risk, according to the survey.

I'm trying to get my head around how 80 percent of respondents "don't restrict any details in their profiles from search engines" at the same time that "78 percent expressed concern over their privacy."

You see, there is no privacy. You're on the Internet. On the other hand, there's no reason to make it easy for everybody. And as usual, a little knowledge helps. Here's an article in TechJaws titled "Social Network Scams and Fakes." And security site ThreatChaos has a good article titled, "Ten Security Measures for Social Networking Sites."