I LOVE my internet. In fact, I know that I couldn’t live without it.
Yet, it’s far from perfect, isn’t it? Which is why there are days like Safer Internet Day, which happens to be today, Tuesday, February 11, 2014.
This year’s theme is “Let’s create a better internet together“. Obviously, the organization is looking to bring a positive spin on the increasing intrusion and associated dangers brought by our beloved internet: Scams, cyberbullying, security breaches… There’s lots to be concerned about.
This is especially true on the social media channels. As we get more and more comfortable with sharing information online, we become vulnerable to scams and attacks: The more information we share, the easier targets we become.
Take a look at this experiment on video for proof:
Or, remember this one?
I still get freaked out after watching these for the nth time. I would never, ever make my information available like that.
Ha! That’s what I thought.
How did I find out that I too was vulnerable? With this tool, MyPermissions.
MyPermissions is a free security tool that helps protect online privacy and “that monitors all connected applications across social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, Google, LinkedIn, Dropbox and more. We give users control over the data that apps are able to access. MyPermissions protects users from unknowingly sharing photos, documents, locations, contacts, emails, or any other sensitive information, and allows them to approve or revoke what apps access their data, and how.”
I just ran the service’s scan and here’s what I found out:
- 109 social apps or websites had access to my basic data and information
- 26 social apps or websites had access to my mailbox and contact information
- 39 social apps or websites knew of my location
Services that I NEVER used or haven’t used in months had access to all my info. Aaaaaaack!!!
Access revoked is how I handled the situation for 95% of these apps.
Like most everything enjoyable in our life, it’s about balance. How do we parse the convenience that the internet brings us against the malfaisant opportunists? Through education and information. And with a service like MyPermissions.
Certainly, there is much to enjoy about the social aspects of social media. But, the bottom line is indeed “this information might be used against you”. We can love our apps but let’s not give them all our information.
via:http://www.thesucculentwife.com/solution-tmi-social-media-mypermissions-com/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=solution-tmi-social-media-mypermissions-com
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