Facebook and fraud: how criminals are preying on Web 2.0 users

By Matt Brady 

I have been espousing the virtues of social networking on this blog recently.  So all good, then?  Not according to Equifax.  A report by the credit information group warns that users of social networking sites such as Facebook are opening themselves up to fraudulent attacks if they publish their job, date of birth, location and other personal details.  The report adds that managers should increase security procedures for social networks and other Web 2.0 applications.  The full story can be read here: Social networking could harm businesses.

Certainly the amount of information some people reveal about themselves on social networking sites astounds me (it's also part of the appeal).  It didn't occur to me, however, that this information could be used in a harmful way by identity thieves.  Caution is therefore required.  Get Safe Online offers very useful advice in this regard, on how to protect your privacy online.