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Use caution with social networking sites

Steven Parker   on 10 October 2007 - 10:11 · 12 comments & 8259 views

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A few days ago I got an invitation to join a new social networking site from a co-worker. (Social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, and Windows Live Spaces are services people can use to connect with others to share information like photos, videos, and personal messages.)

At first I thought it was strange that she was inviting me to join since we work together and already communicate several times a day using both high-tech and low-tech methods. Even though I thought the invitation might have been a fraudulent e-mail message, I sent it back to her and told her I would join, if she was sure the invitation wasn't a scam.

A few minutes later I received an e-mail message from my co-worker saying that she was horrified to learn that the social networking site had e-mailed an invitation to all of her contacts without her knowledge.

When you first sign up, many popular social networking sites offer to scan your e-mail address book to find out if other people you know are on that particular social network. Then you can choose whether you want to connect with others who are already on the network or send invitations to people who aren't. These sites should ask your permission to send out invitations. My co-worker claims that this particular site did not ask her permission.

View: Full Article @ Security Tips & Talk (MSDN Blog)
Related: Man jailed over Facebook message

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 12 additional comments
#1 night_stalker_z on 10 Oct 2007 - 10:25
Most social networking site do the same thing. I think MySpace needs your email address and email password to sign up.
#2 Daem0hn on 10 Oct 2007 - 10:38
you must provide your email address and email password to the social networking site for it to be able to do this. Spewing if you fill out web-forms without reading.
(1 reply) #3 Neobond on 10 Oct 2007 - 10:38
I get these too and I just ignore them unless the person asks why I didn't join.
#3.1 Marshalus on 10 Oct 2007 - 11:23
Quote - (Neobond said @ #3)
I get these too and I just ignore them unless the person asks why I didn't join.


In that case, why have you not joined LinkedIn yet?
#4 JamesWeb on 10 Oct 2007 - 13:32
Is he sure his friend's not just an idiot?
#5 LTD on 10 Oct 2007 - 13:50
At first I thought it was strange that she was inviting me to join since we work together and already communicate several times a day using both high-tech and low-tech methods.

Exactly! Well said.
(1 reply) #6 SlimShady on 10 Oct 2007 - 14:18
Quote -
provide your email address and email password

Dear lord that's so unbelievably wrong. A passwords is private.
It makes no sense sharing it with any tool or website.
#6.1 voidpharoh on 10 Oct 2007 - 20:18
I agree, but you'd be surprised how many websites are starting to ask for both just so they can send out invitations. Amazing how many people don't think twice sharing their email addresses & email passwords with various legit & not-so-legit websites. If only people would exercise a bit of common sense & read the forms carefully.
(1 reply) #7 Magallanes on 10 Oct 2007 - 15:32
IMHO

I think that those people that "live" into those social network sites are just kids, lazy or ignorant to known that they can own a personal site with a few bucks. And even can own a personal domain name, also there are not needing to known how to programs, they will need to search a site with a setup-free (Fantastico for example). The best part is you can earn money with it.



#7.1 +Zhivago on 10 Oct 2007 - 20:28
Quote - (Magallanes said @ #7)
IMHO

I think that those people that "live" into those social network sites are just kids, lazy or ignorant to known that they can own a personal site with a few bucks. And even can own a personal domain name, also there are not needing to known how to programs, they will need to search a site with a setup-free (Fantastico for example). The best part is you can earn money with it.


A personal website CANNOT connect people with friends. A Social Networking site can. That's why people join them, NOT because they are kids, lazy, or ignorant. They don't need a personal domain name.
#8 toadeater on 11 Oct 2007 - 05:34
Everyone's getting molested online but me it seems.
#9 EZRecovery on 11 Oct 2007 - 16:07
Ringo does that.

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