With security risks rising, how safe is social media?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 10:25:50 -0400

I've used to post alot to Facebook. Before that I dabbled in Myspace. That account is long gone and I've very recently all but shut down my Facebook page. I've asked myself why I have a Facebook acct. It is to keep connected to family and friends far away from me. While I have enabled all the security options, the reality that Facebook employees whom I don't know can still access my personal stuff if they want to. I am on their account. Even RallyPoint includes trust in the members and the website owners whom I don't know. Yet I trust these more than Facebook. But really, how safe is any social media sute? People have a deep desire to stay connected. People will take a certain level of risk to use social media to stay connected. But if it were all gone, what would the outcry be from those who use it? Can we as a nation really do without social media? I don't think we can. I think that people in general will assume a certain amount of risk in order to use social media. So should there be warning labels on social media to remind folks of the risks? Or would they skip it and post away? What are your thoughts on social media? The security risks? The reasons people use it?

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 20 at 2015 11:37 AM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 11:37:06 -0400

No need for warning labels. They would be like EULA's where everyone just clicks accept to get on with life. The internet in general is unsafe by nature. Every place you visit, every word you write, every picture you post is tracked, archived and analyzed. It's actually almost impossible to avoid Google and Facebook knowing damn near everything you do. They have extensive networks of comment plugins, ads and even share buttons that function as tracking devices to gather data about behavior.

In general, I have a rule - If I wouldn't want the public to have it, I don't put it on social media. My FB profile says I'm a vet and where I work (I work in social media, so that's somewhat expected), but no public phone number, no address. I give FB as little info as possible and most of it is locked down.

I live with the rest. Privacy is somewhat a thing of the past.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jul 20 at 2015 11:44 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 11:44:46 -0400

So in the 70's when I was growing up we had this thing called the "phone book" it had almost everyone's name, address and phone number in it. Yes - those were different times, but I say that because that's the way I grew up - not afraid! I wasn't afraid then and I'm not afraid now. I'm not stupid either - but if you want to find me - or call me - that should be pretty easy for you! I think it's silly to hear people say "I don't list my address or phone number on social media" - but they put it on all kinds of other public records.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 1:06 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 13:06:25 -0400

No place on the Internet is safe. If you don't want people to know something then it probably shouldn't be on your computer or phone, let alone on the Internet. I assume everything I post is public, because everything gets cached, anyone can take a screen shot, and anyone can share it.
The only people who need to be warned are kids, by their parents, and teachers, as much as they'll listen to the warning.
Social media has united people all over the world, good, in cases like RallyPoint, and groups that look to improve the world, and bad, in cases like ISIS, and other fanatics.
Either way, it's here to stay, unless it gets replaced by a newer platform.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 20 at 2015 1:45 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 13:45:37 -0400

If someone wants to obtain your information, they will obtain it whether you like it or not. It is important to safeguard it by NOT posting what you don't want others to know. Make it harder for the attackers. I'm not really that worried about my social media account. They are pretty private.

Response by SSG James Arlington made Jul 20 at 2015 5:26 PM

SSG James Arlington — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 17:26:47 -0400

NOT.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 22 at 2015 2:38 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 02:38:10 -0400

Yes your information is accessible to staffs of social media sites (FB, RP, etc.) even if you have all the security features enabled, but that's a fact of life when you're online. Even at work if you use a computer, the IT staff has access to your information and can really wreak havoc on your life if they wanted to but ethics (for the most part) keeps us (I work in IT systems administration) from doing that.

It's all about what business calls "acceptable risk."

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 5:27 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:27:39 -0400

Is it too late to respond? Information moves at the speed of Twitter. There is no turning back. No, we cannot do without it. Social Media is being used for warfare now, it's amazing what it can do. Teach soldiers how to use it safely, there should not be any problems. Just this last year Twitter was finally mentioned in a public affairs FM. Our leaders are recognizing what power social media has. We need to keep moving forward. You are correct about Facebook employees seeing your stuff on your profile. I look at it as if you wouldn't want it on a yard sign, don't put it online.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 4:33 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:33:56 -0400

I think its like any other tool. It is not a security risk if you know how to use it properly. That's why there are countless JKO/ADLS/AKO courses covering IA and IP. As long has our service members are using proper comsec, compusec, etc it should not be a problem. Learn how to use privacy setting properly and don't put everything out there and you should be fine.