Over time we have come to realise that the technologies we interact with record our every move online. By using Facebook or other Social Media services, we provide a wealth of information that may be used for legitimate advertising purposes, but this may also fall into the hands of malicious individuals. This comes as Cifas, the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, released new figures showing stark increases in the number young people falling victim to identity fraud (2,321 under 21s were victims of identity fraud, an increase of 541 compared to the previous year). Many people are concerned about this, and wonder what can be done to improve the security of their personal data.
It is the usual process that new users provide their phone number and email details when initially registering on the social network. The facility for others to ‘find’ your number and your email is activated by default, and anyone can use this search method whatever their intent.
Of course, you may alter these default settings. For example, just log into your Facebook account, click on the “Settings” tab at the top right of the screen and then on the inverted triangle icon. Finally select “Privacy” in the left column. Here you can modify current settings, and specifically the options: “Who can find you using the email address you provided?” and “Who can find you using the phone number you have provided?”. Amend these settings by changing from “Everyone” to “Friends”. From then on only people you have accepted into your ‘friends’ list can find your contact details through this service.
It is possible to take this to the extreme by deleting your phone number altogether. Do this by going to “Settings”, then “Mobile”. Of course this means that some features of the service will no longer be available to you, such as receiving important notifications. You will have to decide what is more important to you. If you do remove your number, you will be prompted to add it again in order to “protect” your Facebook account and “make it easier to use”. You will also have to decide whether to ignore this or not!
Of course, some people may be concerned that private or commercially-sensitive conversations/images may also be subject to the interest of unscrupulous individuals. If you are worried that you are being covertly recorded, Expedite DA can reassure you that your house, office or car is free of any hidden recording equipment.
£50 plus travel per room/office/vehicle for electronic counter measure bug sweeping covering the frequency range of 10KHz to 15GHz, enabling us to locate all types of bug transmissions in the local area. Fee also includes searching for non-transmitting/ hidden video recording devices, found & removed via our lens reflector detector.
