Facebook users open to cyberattacks, ID theft?

News Type: Event — Seeded on Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:20 PM EDT

Article Source: The New York Times

technology, facebook, users, id-theft, verisign, cyber-criminals, security-experts, idefense, open-to-cyberattacks

As Facebook evolves from a university social network into an enterprise tool, VeriSign iDefense security experts are warning that the platform is turning into a prime attack vector for cybercriminals.

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5.0

{"commentId":907407,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

Developers require users to agree to their own terms of service and privacy policies as a condition of using their applications. Given the tendency by users to gloss over lengthy condition statements, this opens the possibility for developers to extend rights beyond the standard agreements.

However, Olson and Rick Howard, director of intelligence at VeriSign's iDefense Labs, said a longer-term problem is users' openness with personal information on public forum

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1 vote

#1 - Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":908054,"authorDomain":"basseq"}

John Whittet

However, Olson and Rick Howard, director of intelligence at VeriSign's iDefense Labs, said a longer-term problem is users' openness with personal information on public forum

No durr. It may be easier to do with a Facebook application, but such information gathering can still be done by anyone to whom you give access. An application is no different, and users don't come with condition statements.

{"commentId":908054,"threadId":"131634","contentId":"867457","authorDomain":"basseq"}

2 votes

#2 - Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":908328,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

Hi John:

You are right. That is why it's always best to use a nom de plume. ... a real name to sound human, but a random one.

{"commentId":908328,"threadId":"131634","contentId":"867457","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

1 vote

#2.1 - Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":908472,"authorDomain":"basseq"}

John Whittet

What I've really liked about Facebook is the lack of exactly that, Shaun. Because if I know you, I don't want to remember that CoolGuy86 is my friend Josh or whatever. I've found that it's better to simply not put anything on the internet you don't want people knowing.

{"commentId":908472,"threadId":"131634","contentId":"867457","authorDomain":"basseq"}

3 votes

#2.2 - Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:43 PM EDT

{"commentId":908592,"authorDomain":"barry-rutherford"}

Barry Rutherford

John WhittetI agree with your comments I am a Facebook user but my date of birth is not displayed

{"commentId":908592,"threadId":"131634","contentId":"867457","authorDomain":"barry-rutherford"}

2 votes

#3 - Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:30 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"131634","isPrivate":false}

SHAUNV

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Facebook users open to cyberattacks, ID theft?

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