Playing Dumb And Dumber With Your Privacy

Internet users continue to play dumb with their private details, and run the risk of identity theft, and worse, as a result!

As I reported a few days ago, the privacy of people using sites such as Linkedin, Friendster, Myspace and Facebook is being put at risk by sites such as Wink.com

Finding that I had three profiles on the site, and that I couldn’t delete them, caused me to have a bit of a panic attack.

Because I live in Australia though, I don’t have to have insult added to injury.

US citizens who have profiles on Wink can be investigated even further – simply by clicking the “Background Check” link on the site.

A link to Intelius.com from Wink then allows anyone seeking more information to find previous addresses, judgments and so on.

One wonders at the extent of protection that privacy laws give, and how this site can access court records and other documents.

With crimes such as identity theft on the rise, this has to be a real worry, and while I don’t have anything to hide, I don’t want my details splashed all over the place either.

This issue also raises the question about who owns my data, particularly the data that I entrust to a social networking site.

While I previously had concerns about Bigsight, at least that company allows anyone wishing to do so, to delete their profile.

Don’t get caught playing Dumb or Dumber.

Be careful of what details you divulge on social networking sites.

If a form which you are filling online seems to be asking unnecessary personal questions, stop and ask yourself why?

Back track and see who owns the company. If you can, find out why they want your personal information.

If there seems to be no good reason, don’t give it to them! Simple!

And as for your profile on social networking sites, give the bare minimum of details possible.