Risks of Identity Theft on Social Media

To the extent that social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are used in workplaces, security officials there need to be aware of risks to the individuals using them, at least so they can advise them of them.

One such risk, reports NextGov, is identity theft. “The amount of personal information posted on social networking sites has made it easier for criminals and others to collect data and impersonate individuals online,” the web service noted from presentations at a recent Washington technology meeting.

Social Security numbers are one target and shouldn’t be used on the web unless the IRS is certifiably asking for one. But providing web indications of geographic location is becoming another risk.

“Social networking sites such as Twitter and Brightkite allow individuals to post a stream of updates that include where they are,” NextGov notes. “The popular photo-sharing Web site Flickr allows users to see exactly where a photo was taken. By aggregating the data about an individual’s activities and movements, someone can create a detailed account about the person’s work or personal life, according to Ian Glazer, a senior analyst for identity and privacy strategies at Burton Group.

“‘Individuals and organizations should treat their location as an enterprise asset,’ Glazer said, adding that disclosures made on social networking sites like Facebook could reach much larger audiences than users intended.”

Medical identity theft is another risk, the report adds.