With the meteoric rise in cyber-bullying, parents are desperate to find a way to shield their children. Unfortunately, most parents are far behind their child’s proficiency with technology. Many don’t text, aren’t on Facebook, and are oblivious to the many ways in which kids can taunt each other with technological ease. Although children may be quick and nimble with technology, they lack the maturity to understand its consequences.
A recent article in the New York Times on Digital Bullying (read the MSN version here) addressed these very issues and gave true and heart-wrenching accounts of how parents were left helpless at the hands of their children’s online bullies. “I’m not seeing signs that parents are getting more savvy with technology,” said Russell A. Sabella, former president of the American School Counselor Association. “They’re not taking the time and effort to educate themselves, and as a result, they’ve made it another responsibility for schools.”
Kids have a great deal of anonymity on the internet if they want it, and can easily impersonate another child or steal their identity. This modified form of identity theft (character theft, I tend to call it), allows the bully to hide behind his or her computer with no real consequences for what they are saying. A scathing remark made in passing by one child can haunt another child for the rest of their lives.
Posted in Cyber Crime, Identity Theft, Life, Social Media by Identity Theft Speaker John Sileo.
Tags: Bully, Bullying, Cyber, Cyber Bully, Cyber Bullying, Cyber Crime, Cyberbully, Cyberbullying, Digital, Facebook, Facebook Safety, identity theft expert, John Sileo, Online Bullying, online privacy, Online Safety, social networking safety, Social Networking Speaker, Teen Safety
Identity theft prevention is not a one-time solution. You must accumulate layers of privacy and security over time. The following identity theft prevention tips are among those I cover in one of my speeches, Think Like A Spy: Information Survival Skills and expand into protecting organizational or corporate data.
- Trust Your Instincts. Most of prevention is common sense.
- When someone asks you to share private information, think – Hogwash! Learn more about establishing a Fraud Reflex.
- Ask aggressive questions to spot a ConJOB: Control, Justify, Options & Benefits. Learn more about exposing a ConJOB.
- Target (or prioritize) your responses & options to protect the most valuable items first.
- Use sophisticated Identity Monitoring (Discount = CSIDFRIEND).
- Review your Free Credit Report 3X per year at www.AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Opt-Out of financial junk mail at www.OptOutPreScreen.com (1.888.567.8688).
- Stop Marketing Phone Calls at www.DoNotCall.gov – remove phone & cell numbers from junk caller lists.
- Freeze Your Credit. State-by-state instructions at www.Sileo.com/credit-freeze.
- If you don’t want to use a credit freeze, place Fraud Alerts on your 3 credit files.
- Stop Sharing Identity (SSN, address, phone, credit card #s) unless necessary.
- Simplify Your Wallet. Chapter 4, Privacy Means Profit.
- Protect Your Computer and Online Identity. Chapters 6 and 12, Privacy Means Profit.
- Protect your Laptop. Visit www.Sileo.com/laptop-anti-theft for details.
Posted in Identity Theft by Identity Theft Expert John Sileo.
Tags: Cyber Security, Data Breach, Fraud Protection, identity monitoring, Identity Theft, Identity Theft Prevention, Identity Theft Protection, Information Survival, John Sileo, opt out, Prevention, Protection, Social Networking Exposure, social networking safety, Think Like A Spy, Tips
According to a Wall Street Journal investigation, Facebook apps are sharing more about you than you think.
The Journal stated in their article, Facebook in Privacy Breach, that many of the most popular applications on the site are transmitting personal information about you and even your friends to third party advertisers and data companies. Apps such as BumperSticker, Marketplace, or Zynga’s Farmville (with over 50 million users) can be sharing your Facebook User ID with these companies. This can give as little information as your name, or as much as your entire Facebook Profile. In some cases, your data is being shared even if you have set your Facebook privacy settings to disallow this type of sharing.
According to the Journal:
“The most expansive use of Facebook user information uncovered by the Journal involved RapLeaf. The San Francisco Company compiles and sells profiles of individuals based in part on their online activities.. The Journal found that some LOLapps applications, as well as the Family Tree application, were transmitting user’s Facebook ID numbers to RapLeaf. RapLeaf then linked those ID numbers to dossiers it had previously assembled on those individuals… RapLeaf then embedded that information in an Internet-tracking file known as a cookie.”
RapLeaf in turn transmitted this Facebook ID and user information to a dozen other advertising firms.
Posted in Identity Theft, Social Media by Identity Theft Speaker John Sileo.
Tags: Facebook, facebook privacy, Facebook Privacy Breach, Identity Theft, John Sileo, Privacy Breach, social networking, Social Networking Expert, Social Networking Privacy, social networking safety, Social Networking Speaker, Speaker, Wall Street Journal
Identity theft and social networking speaker John Sileo discusses what you should and should not reveal through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other social networking sites while traveling. When you are away from home, identity creeps and other thieves can use this knowledge to take advantage of your home or office.
Be conscious of what you share on social networking sites and always remember that what you post is public, permanent and exploitable!
Order your copy of the Facebook Safety Survival Guide to make sure you and your children are protected online.
John Sileo became one of America’s leading Social Networking Speakers & sought after Identity Theft Expert after he lost his business and more than $300,000 to identity theft and data breach. His clients include the Department of Defense, Pfizer and the FDIC. To learn more about having him speak at your next meeting or conference, contact him by email or on 800.258.8076.
Posted in Identity Theft, Social Media by Identity Theft Speaker John Sileo.
Tags: Identity Theft, John Sileo, social networking, Social Networking Expert, social networking safety, travel, Travel Safety, Travel Theft, Video
Tools and tips for bulletproofing yourself against identity theft, data breach and corporate espionage. Subscribe to the newsletter and get John Sileo's 7 Survival Strategies for Starving Data Spies for FREE!