Social Network Security

The launch of new website PleaseRobMe has cast fresh light on the dangers of revealing too much on social networking sites. The website claims it uses data gathered from Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare to pinpoint a person’s location in the world – effectively detailing when people are not in their homes. Some have indicated that this may affect home insurance premiums in the future.

The developers, Dutch born Boy Van Amstel, Frank Groeneveld and Barry Borsboom, decided to create the website to make a point about the level of information people are sharing about themselves, which is available for all to see. Mr Van Amstel stressed that PleaseRobMe is not intended to be tool for burglary, but rather to make people think about what they share on the internet.

Speaking to BBC News*, a spokesperson for  the charity Crimestoppers said: "We urge users of Twitter, Facebook or other social networks to stop and think before posting personal details online that could leave them vulnerable to crimes including burglary and identity theft.

"Details posted online are available for the world to see; you wouldn't hang a sign on your door saying you're out, so why would you post it online?"

General tips for increasingly your online security may include:
•    Using all the privacy settings on offer.
•    Only accepting friend requests and reply to messages from people you know.
•    Never posting photos of yourself with expensive items in your home.
•    Ensure your passwords are as strong as possible by using capital letters and numbers.

*Quote taken from BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8521598.stm