14 DAY TRIAL // MySpace and Facebook, the two top players on the online social networking market, store information about millions of people from all over the world. Since the number of the online attacks based on the details stolen from these pages grows up every day, both users and companies struggle to improve members' privacy and introduce new features able to enhance the security of the system. But there's not much to do when the consumers choose to publish their information on the web and make it available to the entire world. That's why the UK authorities rolled out a special campaign to educate kids and help them protect their privacy.
The Information Commissioner's Office created a special website that provides information on how to protect your privacy and your sensitive details while browsing social networking websites.
"Whether you are using a networking site, Internet dating or just chatting on a forum, the chances are you are putting personal information online. Once it's out there you may not be able to control what happens to it. This could pose a risk to your privacy or even your personal safety," a message posted on the website reads.
The website is especially addressed to kids and teenagers because they are the most vulnerable to the MySpace and Facebook threats. In fact, the same threats can be found on every social networking website not only on these two pages. Earlier this year, it was reported that the authorities discovered a stunning number of sex offenders on MySpace, many of them looking for young users to get explicit photos and other material.
"So before you create a profile, post a picture or tell the online world what you've been doing, think about how to make sure you're safe online," the website states in the intro section.