Using the Internet Safely For Seniors

Avoid Risky Default Settings

Many social sites claim in their usage terms the right to use any of the

information you provide in any way they choose. See Figure 3-9which

shows the terms for Facebook for an example.

Figure 3-9

If they own your content and profile and decide to reuse or resell your

information (for example to sell your personal information to an

advertiser or use your granddaughter’s picture for advertising), there

isn’t much you can do about it.

In addition, even if you select the Private setting on a social-networking

site or discussion forum, your profile settings are typically public. When

you sign up for a service and provide the required information, select-

ing the private mode, may not prevent your photo, name, URL, city,

state, and date you last logged in from showing. Check your public pro-

file after you sign up to see what’s exposed. If you’re not comfortable

with the exposure, remove some information, or close your account.

This information can be used to help ID thieves, cyberbullies, scammers

who pretend to share your interests and other criminals.

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Part I: The Foundation of Using the Internet Safely