OCTOBER 8 2010 NEWS
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Social Networking Sites Thin the Lines of Online Privacy By SHIVANI KANJI News Reporter
Social networking sites can potentially allow felons such as identity thieves and sexual predators to access all of your private information. Users of these sites must remember that almost anyone is privy to the information they post online — even though many sites have cracked down on privacy. When creating a profile on a social networking site, avoid putting things like where you live, your phone number, birthday and anything else that could potentially be used by people who are trying to steal your identity. Keep in mind that when you allow your Facebook to be visible to everyone, even people who don’t have a Facebook account can view it by simply Googling you. This is true for many other sites as well. To check if your privacy settings are working correctly, view your page without logging in to see what is visible to others. When it comes to adding friends, only friend people you know — not everyone on social networking sites are who they say they are. Remember to check that your friends haven’t posted comments or pictures on your site that you don’t want people to see. It is better to be safe than sorry, so always be careful about what information you make public. On Facebook, be careful not to “like” too many things, this information can potentially be used by identity thieves and sexual predators. Don’t Tweet (or post on any social networking site for that matter) your exact location.
Although this is easy to do with today’s cell phones and other technology, it can potentially put you in danger. Most social networking sites are made in such a way that they maximize security, as long as users take proper precaution. “[The sites] are pretty good about privacy. If there is something you don’t want someone to see it’s pretty easy to make that happen,” said freshmen Josephina Purpura. Many people put themselves in harm’s way by not making use of these privacy settings. It’s important not to put your whole life on the web for everyone to see. “The only people who have things happen to them are people who are stupid and friend people they don’t know,” said sophomore Annie Lesko. Always remember that you are responsible for what you post, because universities and potential employers may be looking at your page. Remember, even if you erase something it will be in cyberspace forever. Article 7 (personal abuse) Part B (harassment) of the Spartan Code states, “Personal Abuse is defined as but not limited to action or statement including electronic that threatens harm or intimidates another.” When it comes to universities accessing the profiles of potential student, the director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Tampa, Brent Benner, said that they don’t “proactively go out and look [at people’s social networking pages], but sometimes they have been pointed out.” When these questionable pages are pointed out to the administration, they have to take action. Benner said it only happens about once a year — they “didn’t have a single bad
Breaking and Un-zippering On Sept. 27 at 7:40 a.m., an unknown person(s) entered Walker Hall and took an unattended backpack from a classroom.
Wash-ed Away On Sept. 29, a student reported a laundry card was stolen from a machine in the laundry room in Stadium Center.
Like a Good Neighbor... On Sept. 28, an unknown person(s) intentionally scratched a student’s car in West Parking Garage.
Shady On Sept. 29, a student reported that his sun glasses from his backpack were stolen.
Mario, Duck Hunt and Beer Pong? On Sept. 28, security responded to a report of a student with an open container of alcohol in the Spartan Club Game Room. The student was referred to the judicial board.
The Real World On Sept. 30, security responded to the 4th floor of Straz Hall about a roommate dispute.
Tokyo Drift At 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 28, a student reported that a fellow student made unauthorized long distance calls from his cell phone. Back for More At 1:27 a.m. on Sept. 29, security responded to the Vaughn Courtyard about a suspicious individual near bicycle rack at Austin Hall. He was arrested for trespassing on campus due to a previous incident involving a bike theft.
Trojan Horse At 2:36 a.m. on Oct. 1, the Tampa Police Department arrested a student for trespassing and a fraudulent use of an Spartan ID card. 2-4-1 On Oct. 2, a student was arrested outside of Austin Hall for obstruction of justice after trying to intervene during the arrest. A non-student was also arrested for trespassing after warning. Compiled from the Sept. 27-Oct. 3 Reports.
Facebook,” however, this past year. “We don’t have time to go through them, especially since applications have gone up thirty-two percent this year,” said Benner. “There once was an international student who was talking about excessive drinking and partying on his Facebook page, which is pretty normal, but then he began talking about fake ID’s and at that point I had to resend his admission,” said Benner. In regards to future employers looking at the profiles of potential and current employees, the associate director of Career Services Ellen Goldman, said that it is recommended that you set your account to the “highest privacy settings.” “The larger your network of friends, the more likely an employer may be connected to a friend of a friend and in that manner may be able to access your profile, depending upon what level of privacy settings you’ve designated for your account,” said Goldman. “Un-tag yourself from your friends’ pictures if you feel they are not appropriate for a prospective or current employer. Just because you have set your to the highest privacy doesn’t mean that they have,” said Goldman. “A general standard is ‘would you be comfortable with your mom or grandmother seeing this?’” She also suggests to take the same precautions your quotes, the groups that you are a part of and anything else potentially controversial. According to Goldman, social networking sites can also be helpful when it comes to jobs, because there is a lot of good content on them. “Many companies are on Facebook and you can be a fan of them. When applying for a job or going for an interview, it is
Becksta1/flickr.com
With wireless access, updating a status has never been easier.
nice to say you are a fan of theirs and to reference information you learned from their Facebook page,” said Goldman. “It may allow you to gain the edge over other candidates because the company can see that you’re really very interested in them when you bring up on-point information you learned from them on Facebook.” Social networking sites can be seen as an asset as well as a hindrance — depending on how you use them. It is best to make use of all the privacy settings they offer when enjoying them. For more tips on how to stay safe on social networking sites, visit ftc.gov. Shivani Kanji can be reached at shivani. kanji@spartans.ut.edu.
This week’s Student Government meeting ... * “Tampa Tuesdays,” where students wear UT-related garb, was suggested to promote school spirit. It was also suggested that $5 t-shirts be offered in the Vaughn Lobby to encourage this. * It was asked what SG could do to increase awareness of its proceedings. Some ideas for this included encouraging independents, those not associated with an organization, to attend, as well as having information sessions at the beginning of each semester. * It was suggested that more areas on campus be well-lit at night to promote safety. * A Focus Food group is being organized to voice student opinions to Sodexo, the campus dining service. * Dory Estrada encourages students to check out the Fall Leadership Retreat. Information on this event happening Oct. 23, as well as sign-ups for it can be found in OSLE. For more information, email spartanleadership@ut.edu. For further information to apply for anything mentioned above, email student government at sg@ut.edu.