I just read an article on Huffington Post about how burglers can use information posted on Facebook and Twitter to identify targets for burglary. It made me think about that old cliche "loose lips sink ships."
Sometimes people forget that the Internet is, well, public. Would you walk around wearing a sign that said "I got trashed last night?" No, then maybe you shouldn't put that in your Facebook status. Now, I realize tht Facebook does have privacy settings, but once your network has a few people in it, things can get out.
Here are some rules of thumb:
- If you don't want your grandmother, boss, and next door neighbor to know - don't post it on the internet.
- Don't tell the world about your cache of collectable coins, safe full of money, or when you are going to be leavign the house unattended.
- Don't let your kids chat with random people. Don't let your kids surf without looking over their shoulder. Teach your kids that if they come across something inappropriate (and chances are they will... just like all of life) just to turn the screen off and come get you. Or if they are older, just close the window. Trust goes a long way in parenting. Curious kids will be curious, but they need to know the safety rules first. This goes for personal safety and computer safety too. Viruses and malware are very ofter interspersed in with downloads of the more scurrilous types.
- Don't post about work. If you just leave work out of it, you can't have a problem. Unless your blog is professional in nature and your employer is aware of it, just leave that stuff out.
- Don't vent online about your mother in law, sister in law, co-workers, or whoever. It will get back to them and feelings will be hurt. Call a friend!
- Do post and share information that can help people. There is nothing like the good feeling you get when people comment back saying thanks for the information.
- Do blog - it's a wonderful way to express yourself. The act of writing will help keep your mind sharp and it's wonderful to be able to look back at your blog and see what you were doing and thinking in past times.
- Do research and learn about subjects that interest you. Again... keeping your mind sharp and making sure your posts are accurate and informative.
- Do take pictures and post them. My family loves the pictures I post of my kids (yes, they are in fact the cutest kids ever). Even though there is some risk in posting pics of your kids, it's a risk I calculate and take.
