Spring Break
Being safe in the cyber world
Kristen Swastek
Issue date: 10/23/06 Section: News
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Facebook.com and MySpace.com are among the most popular Web sites for college students. Safety, however, does not seem to be top priority.
According to a Chicago Tribune article, "the most important rule for password-overloaded consumers is to avoid words listed in the dictionary."
"I always use the same password for all my e-mails and online blogs," said Kellie O'Brien, junior accounting major. "It just makes it a lot easier to remember."
The Chicago Tribune article states if you only use a single password, hackers can obtain access to your credit card statements online. They can also find out exactly where you shop online with that password. Because most sites store credit card information, this can lead to a big problem.
"Students should make sure the passwords they use are not just made up for convenience purposes," said Judy Brown, computer
science professor at Western Illinois University.
Passwords should be at least six characters long, with a mix of upper and lowercase letters and numbers. Do not use actual words or adjacent keyboard keys such as "asdfgh."
"Change your passwords periodically, also," Brown said.
In regard to Facebook, Brown said many students have these accounts, and seem to have the mentality that nothing will happen to them.
"When students set up a Facebook account, there is a field to fill in a cell phone number and a land line," Brown said. "Limit the amount of information you provide to Web sites and fill in only required information."
Val Culp, freshman hospitality and business management major, and Ashley Bates, junior English education major, agree that the amount of information placed on these sites should be carefully considered.
"You should not put any confidential or personal information on Facebook, because anyone can see it," Culp said.
"Don't put any information in your profile that you are uncomfortable with the world knowing," Bates said.
It sounds simple, but with the "it won't happen to me" mentality, nothing is going to happen to reform Internet security.
Jason Gilmore, freshman law enforcement and justice administration major, said people need to be more cautious of the information they display.
"I just feel that people need to be careful as to what information
they post; especially the younger age group that are users on those kinds of Web sites," Gilmore said. "You can never be too cautious when it comes to Internet security."
According to a Chicago Tribune article, "the most important rule for password-overloaded consumers is to avoid words listed in the dictionary."
"I always use the same password for all my e-mails and online blogs," said Kellie O'Brien, junior accounting major. "It just makes it a lot easier to remember."
The Chicago Tribune article states if you only use a single password, hackers can obtain access to your credit card statements online. They can also find out exactly where you shop online with that password. Because most sites store credit card information, this can lead to a big problem.
"Students should make sure the passwords they use are not just made up for convenience purposes," said Judy Brown, computer
science professor at Western Illinois University.
Passwords should be at least six characters long, with a mix of upper and lowercase letters and numbers. Do not use actual words or adjacent keyboard keys such as "asdfgh."
"Change your passwords periodically, also," Brown said.
In regard to Facebook, Brown said many students have these accounts, and seem to have the mentality that nothing will happen to them.
"When students set up a Facebook account, there is a field to fill in a cell phone number and a land line," Brown said. "Limit the amount of information you provide to Web sites and fill in only required information."
Val Culp, freshman hospitality and business management major, and Ashley Bates, junior English education major, agree that the amount of information placed on these sites should be carefully considered.
"You should not put any confidential or personal information on Facebook, because anyone can see it," Culp said.
"Don't put any information in your profile that you are uncomfortable with the world knowing," Bates said.
It sounds simple, but with the "it won't happen to me" mentality, nothing is going to happen to reform Internet security.
Jason Gilmore, freshman law enforcement and justice administration major, said people need to be more cautious of the information they display.
"I just feel that people need to be careful as to what information
they post; especially the younger age group that are users on those kinds of Web sites," Gilmore said. "You can never be too cautious when it comes to Internet security."
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