Privacy, Security & Virus Information

Facebook, the bigger it gets, becomes more attractive to hackers

Recent revelations that social media giant Facebook has become the website most blacklisted online by corporate giants who refuse to allow their employees to surf the site on a company computer, even when they are on their coffee breaks. This piece of news only goes to show the extent that responsible people are concerned about the ongoing security issues relating to the web site and refuse to take any risks around it. On the upside, the same report does state that in the business community, Facebook is also the site which has the least blockages, which means that the site remains unblocked more than any other on the web.

While this particular cup of cheer remains more full than empty, between the lines lies the genuine dilemma that the 400 plus million users have to face every time they open up their Facebook. Does the almost compelling roller-coaster ride into a network of global friends that happens every time you clock on your mouse justify the risk that it involves?

It is estimated that around one half of a billion people have either a Facebook account or one of their less popular counterparts. The risks to the public are not generally caused by Facebook and company by themselves, and more by the tens of thousands of external applications that have been added on to money-fy these web sites. And that is where the problems begin

Through applications have hooked up to Facebook to do business, and doing business online means exchanging information with all that that entails. In 2010, it was estimated that close to sixty percent of people who bought goods or services online through social networking websites were victims of some form of virus attack.

That's why employers are so reluctant to let their workers surf Facebook, although the chances of them making an online purchase during work hours are pretty slim. But the general consensus is that these huge companies simply aren't prepared to take the risk.

There is a lesson to be learned from big business in this instance. If you are a Facebook freak, or a member of your family or even someone who might use your computer, you also need to protect your personal data. And that means investing in one of the major anti-virus software programs. Having one of them installed means - that you can enjoy Facebook without fear.

 

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