What Is Your Facebook Data Worth

[Borg 386]

I know a lot of people use Facebook, however the more I read about them, the more wary and surprised I become of their data practices..

I have never used Facebook and try to steer people away from it. Indeed there is nothing wrong with having a Facebook account. The only thing is, you should be aware of what details of your life you're sharing (and some things you are inadvertently sharing).

Read on to see who's getting a look at what you do on Facebook. You're sharing more than you think--and you might be surprised at what your data is worth.

What Is Your Facebook Data Worth? - PCWorld

 

[pparks1]

I'm a Facebook user and I don't see anything wrong with people using Facebook and I don't recommend to anybody that they stay away.

However, you need to think about what you write and submit before you do it. Just like anything else, things can come back to bite you in the butt if you aren't careful. For example, if you call in sick to work and then blab on facebook about sitting at home partying it up...then expect that coworker friends are likely going to know about it. It's just like working remotely from home....you probably don't want to fire up your Xbox360 and play games all day where coworkers and such can see that you are online earning video game achievements.

My wife and I recently took a vacation. But I wasn't blabbing about it on facebook or putting it in online posts before I left because I didn't want to broadcast to the world that my house would be unoccupied for 10 days. We didn't mention or comment about our vacation until after we returned home. Again, I think you need to think these things through and not simply avoid the technology.

People need to be accountable for their actions. That story points out a person with a health insurance issue because they were on a medical leave. Well, if you are manipulating the system and taking advantage of your health insurance plan...then I think you should pay the consequences if you are caught. Simply avoiding something like Facebook because they could catch you committing fraud isn't exactly an outstanding morale viewpoint.

 

[noobvious]

I guess I am old-school, but I don't do Facebook or Twitter, and I don't have a MySpace page either. I have forums like this one that I visit, and I talk to some people with Trillian Astra, and I email....that seems to be good enough for me.

I think pparks makes sense though, with his point on using some common sense if you are using Facebook.

 

[Borg 386]

I agree pparks1, basically I tell people if they want to go on Facebook, be careful what you write or let the world know. And know how the data you submit is going to be used. In other words, educate yourself about the site and it's risks.

I know 2 people that got fired, from 2 different places, because they made negative comments about their workplaces. I really don't agree with that and as far as I'm concerned, everyone has the right to an opinion and what you do/say on your off-the-clock time is none of their business, but nonetheless, you do have to be very careful what you say/post online.

And yes, if you're trying to pull a fast one, like claiming you're sick & then posting something about spending the day at the beach, you get what you deserve if you get caught.

It's good you didn't make any comments about the vacation, there are people out there scrutinizing pages to catch things like that so they know when the house will be empty.

As you said, avoiding the tech is not the answer, being careful what you say/do and knowing the risks is.

NOTE: I may be a bit averse to Facebook since I've had to clean so many PC's with stuff they/their kids got from the site.

 

[CarlTR6]

I'm a Facebook user and I don't see anything wrong with people using Facebook and I don't recommend to anybody that they stay away.

However, you need to think about what you write and submit before you do it. Just like anything else, things can come back to bite you in the butt if you aren't careful. For example, if you call in sick to work and then blab on facebook about sitting at home partying it up...then expect that coworker friends are likely going to know about it. It's just like working remotely from home....you probably don't want to fire up your Xbox360 and play games all day where coworkers and such can see that you are online earning video game achievements.

My wife and I recently took a vacation. But I wasn't blabbing about it on facebook or putting it in online posts before I left because I didn't want to broadcast to the world that my house would be unoccupied for 10 days. We didn't mention or comment about our vacation until after we returned home. Again, I think you need to think these things through and not simply avoid the technology.

People need to be accountable for their actions. That story points out a person with a health insurance issue because they were on a medical leave. Well, if you are manipulating the system and taking advantage of your health insurance plan...then I think you should pay the consequences if you are caught. Simply avoiding something like Facebook because they could catch you committing fraud isn't exactly an outstanding morale viewpoint.

Spot on advice.

 

[pparks1]

I guess I am old-school, but I don't do Facebook or Twitter, and I don't have a MySpace page either. I have forums like this one that I visit, and I talk to some people with Trillian Astra, and I email....that seems to be good enough for me.

I got on the Facebook wagon a bit late myself. I don't use Twitter, and I don't do MySpace. For me, it was getting back in touch with a "handful" of people in high school/college that I lost track of over the years. In the past couple of years of using Facebook, I've had a few get togethers and such with old friends that otherwise would not have happened.

 

[Corrine]

I'm a Facebook user and I don't see anything wrong with people using Facebook and I don't recommend to anybody that they stay away.

However, you need to think about what you write and submit before you do it. Just like anything else, things can come back to bite you in the butt if you aren't careful. For example, if you call in sick to work and then blab on facebook about sitting at home partying it up...then expect that coworker friends are likely going to know about it. It's just like working remotely from home....you probably don't want to fire up your Xbox360 and play games all day where coworkers and such can see that you are online earning video game achievements.

My wife and I recently took a vacation. But I wasn't blabbing about it on facebook or putting it in online posts before I left because I didn't want to broadcast to the world that my house would be unoccupied for 10 days. We didn't mention or comment about our vacation until after we returned home. Again, I think you need to think these things through and not simply avoid the technology.

People need to be accountable for their actions. That story points out a person with a health insurance issue because they were on a medical leave. Well, if you are manipulating the system and taking advantage of your health insurance plan...then I think you should pay the consequences if you are caught. Simply avoiding something like Facebook because they could catch you committing fraud isn't exactly an outstanding morale viewpoint.

Spot on advice.

I agree as well. This is no longer a time when families and friends remain in the same town where they grew up and Facebook does provide another alternative for staying in touch.

In addition to pparks1' advice, it is also advisable to customize your personal settings on Facebook so you are not sharing contact information (telephone, home address, e-mail) with "Everyone". The setting to viewing of your phone number, address, etc., is under Account > Privacy Settings > Customize settings.

I do use Twitter and have found it a nice resource for tech information.

 

[Borg 386]

I agree as well. This is no longer a time when families and friends remain in the same town where they grew up and Facebook does provide another alternative for staying in touch.

I don't know about you, but I live in mortal dread of the day some of my family members get a computer.

 

[Corrine]

If/when they do, Borg 386, I hope you take the time to educate them on protecting their privacy and how to keep the computer secure.

 

[Borg 386]

Oh I will Corrine, but if they will "get it", that the next question.

My Parents are in their 80's and I had a hard enough time explaining the CD player & the DVD player to them.

Fortunately I saw something in a magazine that has an online service take care of their PC, it's geared more towards the older generation. Between that & me, hopefully they'll be fine

 

[Corrine]

I do ok with my computer, but when it comes to the CD/DVD players, I need to get out the manual any time its necessary to change/program or whatever.

I'm not so certain that I would be comfortable with an on-line service taking care of their computer. You may find this from Microsoft helpful: Computing Guide for Boomers

 

[Borg 386]

Thanx for the link Corrine, I'll check it out.

Yeah, I don't feel all that comfy with an online service taking care of them, but they really don't grasp technology well. Being in their 80's, I can kind of see that.

But this service was listed in Reminisce magazine & I've checked it out. So far it get's good reviews.

Unfortunately it's quite a task to keep your PC up to date with the latest security protocols nowadays. You can't rely on auto updates.

More then likely they won't opt to get one, but I'll save the article just in case

Thanx

 

[Corrine]

You're welcome.

If they haven't succumbed to the mysteries of the Internet yet, they most likely won't so you're probably in the clear.

But this service was listed in Reminisce magazine & I've checked it out. So far it get's good reviews.

There is a computer "service" that I've seen advertised on the television with lots of "real people" supposedly proclaiming its virtues. I couldn't resist researching it and have no doubt it is a scam with paid reviews.

 

[Borg 386]

Yeah Corrine, hopefully I'm in the clear. Lord knows I spend enough time cleaning out my wife's family's computers.

Every 3 months or so I go over & find lots of viruses/malware.

About a year ago, I tried a new strategy.

I put the shortcuts to the malware/av/spyware cleaners right on their desktops & labeled them in caps: "RUN THIS ONCE A WEEK!!!!!"

Guess how that worked out???? LOL

And yeah, I'm aware of the scams associated with some "reviews"....but like you said, hopefully I'm in the clear