Security concerns are nothing new when talking about the Internet. Since the dawn of the World Wide Web as a communications network for bringing the masses online there have been spammers, hackers, and identity thieves proliferating in the dark corners of the Internet. Dishonesty has been around since the evolution of man so shunning the Internet because of security risks is silly, but taking measures to protect your data is not.
Understanding the risks of sharing information online and across social networks is the first step for individuals and companies to protect their identity, reputation, and data in a Web 2.0 world. Common Internet security risks include the following…
Data Theft – Information is stored online in databases that can be accessible to many. Popular online destinations usually take stringent measures to keep their databases secure but smaller sites and applications can be more lax on security. No database is 100% secure so be wary of how much of your sensitive information you share online.
Information Leakage – When talking about business and social networking there is always the possibility that an employee sharing information online whether in a personal or business context can unintentionally reveal company information that should not have been shared. Company policies that outline Internet usage are important for setting boundaries for employees on what information can be discussed in a social setting.
Targeted Attacks – By collecting information that may have unintentionally been leaked over the Internet, persons or companies can launch targeted attacks on their adversaries by citing multiple online sources.
Software Vulnerability – Bugs and flaws are the nature of the beast when talking about any type of software. With the mass amount of online applications launching every day there are undoubtedly security issues in the code that developers are unaware of or are having issues patching up.
Spam and Phishing – Unsolicited advertisement spam is a nuisance in itself but phishing for passwords, credit cards, and other sensitive information through spam or hacked accounts can be a big security risk.
Content Alteration – If ongoing measures are not taken to keep information about your company secure and valid then hackers and impostors can alter or generate content related to your company for personal gain or defamation.
Malware Dissemination – Social networks are an easy way to distribute malware. Hacked and impersonated accounts can trick users into visiting websites that infect computers with viruses, worms, Trojans, bots, keyloggers, spyware and more.
Business Reputation – Targeted attacks, content alteration, or just plain trash talking can damage your business reputation. It’s important to keep track of how your company and brand names are being used online. Social media analysis and reputation management solutions are available specifically for this reason.
Source: The Risks of Social Networking and the Corporate Network
Related: Some Twitter Users Likely Unaware of Security Risks
