Privacy, Security & Virus Information

Google Buzz Recognizes its Potential as a Target for Hackers

From this week, Google will begin to do some serious work in patching up a number of potential security leaks in the Buzz social networking software. These gaps in security, largely led by Google's initial gaffe in providing anyone who held a G mail account with "free membership" to buzz led to an uproar. Claims were that by doing so, they would expose the tens of millions surfers who enjoyed the benefits of Gmail to have their personal details exposed to the World, including some of the internet's most viscous hackers.

Google were more or less forced to instigate the changes to buzz with the potential problems that could be caused by security breaches reaching as high and as far as the US Congress. Such is the significance of social media networking in the US that Congress members suggested to users to strongly self regulate the private information it exposed.

To be fair to Google, they are prepared to admit that they did make some basic concept mistakes when they launched Buzz in February 2010. A spokesman for the company was quoted as follows."Shortly after launching Google Buzz, we quickly realised we didn't get everything right and moved as fast as possible to improve the Buzz experience. Offering everyone who uses our products transparency and control is very important to us."

Google launched Buzz with the service allowing users to post status updates, share content and read and comment on posts in much the same way as those who have signed on to Facebook and Twitter do. Amid concern over how much personal information was being made public, Google made changes to buzz to make it more clear how information was being shared as well as simplifying the process for blocking or following other users. The fact that Google have realized the potential damage that hackers can cause through easy access to personal information should be sufficient reason for compute owners and users to take a close look at their behaviour when using social networking sites, which have been recognized as a very "soft target" for hackers. If you have become a regular user of Buzz Facebook, or Tweeter here is the basic rules you should follow to protect your identity and security.

• Never give away specific identification details
• Don't post your address or phone numbers
• Never post any account numbers or financial information of any kind
• Invest in the most powerful anti-virus protection software on the market

Follow these simple rules and your whole social media internet experience will look and feel completely different.

 

< Back