When you set up an account online, whether it be for an email account or a social media site, you are often asked to answer some security questions. This procedure is incase you forget your password, or maybe you are logging into your MySpace account from a new computer. Who am I kidding nobody uses MySpace anymore...
The Aside blog recently posted about Social Engineering, or how people attempt to get information and even more from you. Now I've always been careful about posting confidential information online, but this blog points out something many might not be aware of. Sometimes we answer security questions such as "What street did you grow up on?" or "What is the name of your favorite pet." Anyone who knows me or is friends with me on Facebook will know I posted 20 pictures a day of my cat Buster. With a little common sense, my account may be compromised by answering such "security" questions.
Children are highly susceptible to these types of security issues, and it is important to keep students informed when working with internet-enabled technology.
The lesson of the post is: be careful what you post online. When I was a kid (okay, okay, I'm still a kid) we were taught to never put a phone number or address online. Not only do some people post such things, but contacts between programs and applications sync their info right onto my iPhone. With a few clicks (okay they're not clicks, more like finger pressing a touch screen... we need a name for that. Maybe Apple can patent another iPhrase...) I can call these people or get directions to their house, or their recently geotagged post. Just be careful how trusting you are.
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