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Tags: computer software, personal technology, scams that we encounter on facebook
 There are a lot of people who spend their time on computers today than there were five or six years ago. Back then, regular folks used to casually go online to check e-mail, send e-mail or read news online. Outside of work we watched more television than spend time on a computer. In a span of two years things have changed. People can't get enough of the internet so much so that they even keep it in their pockets. You can say that it's because you can conveniently stay connected or because your job demands that you stay connected to the internet, but the fact is, people spend more time online because there is simply a lot more to do.
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Social networking is pretty much on top of that list of things to do.
With the majority of people going online to use Facebook, hackers and scammers are introducing new ways to make a quick buck at the expense of the unknowing net goers. We all know that the internet can be a dangerous place but then we often don't know just how dangerous it is. We know that there are scams online, but are we careful of the scams that we encounter on Facebook or on Twitter? People used to send blatant and elaborate scams through emails but now they can send them in cleverly disguised links on Facebook as well.
Hackers can send worms to infect your computer and take control of your Facebook account. What can they do with it? Post their own images, post on your friend's wall, comment on other people's statuses with their own links and so on and so forth.
Identity theft seems to be a pretty rampant thing these days and has become very dangerous on a personal, social and professional level. So what can we do to avoid being hacked?
For one thing we need to be aware of what we're clicking on. Links are one of the most direct ways that someone can take over. You can avoid hackers if you know that an account is compromised and if you know the regular patterns of your friend. If your friend doesn't usually post links without an explanation then you need to get suspicious. Ask where the link leads to or find out where the link can lead to by copying it unto a search engine like Google and then find out where it goes.
Twitter links can be a bit trickier since everyone posts them. In those cases, consider the behavior of your friend or whoever it is you're following. And try not to follow people you don’t know or don’t trust. It can make all difference between a secure PC and a compromised Facebook account.
About the author
Jego Goldstein is a successful Computer Analyst who has been testing and developing software for many years. Learn how to master Microsoft Excel with this VIDEO COURSE . Click here for more information about Easy Excel Basics.
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