We are always looking to protect ourselves, but we
tend not to filter what we share with others online. The web is where thieves
can gain access to your accounts the easiest. This article simply talked about
what users can do to protect themselves.
Online identity theft has increased from 17% in 2001
to 24% in 2012. Social networking sites have become a primary source where your
identity can be stolen. A number of
people tend to use the same password for a lot of their accounts. Yes, this
does help you with not forgetting so easily, but also makes your very
vulnerable to identity theft easily.
This means that people online need to be careful
what they choose to share with the world. It is not just thieves that are
looking for your information, also employers. If you have a social site whether
it’s private or not, they can still access it. A few states have passed laws
where this is illegal, but others can base whether they will or will not hire
you on your online identity.
Some may not care what others think about them
online, but there are some who do. Others
should take it upon themselves to self-censor. Look at your profiles online and
see what you would assume from just looking though some of the posts you have
made. Are you the person you really put out to be online? If the answer is no
then you have to be real with yourself. Self-critic some of the things you
write or publicly broadcast on twitter and Facebook. Not everyone needs to know
every moment of your life.
Our virtual identities are what we see most of on
these personal profiles. Some may read this article and still continue to post
irrelevant facts about themselves. The reason behind this is because they have
found a space where they can be who they truly wish they were.
Change would be good for the content that goes on
these sites, but it can’t really be controlled. Since we don’t really know
everyone personally we can’t really judge their content. Unless you do know
someone then you can kind of tell whether they are telling the truth or not.
It’s not up to the web to change it is up to the users. Our moral compass should
play a factor in what type of image we are putting out.
