Chief’s Corner

Social Networks:

What are they and what to be careful about?

Social Networks are a connected community of web services where users create profiles of themselves including affiliations, favorites, interest groups, quotes, pictures/photo albums, songs, videos, and blogs. Often people will also post their relationship status, sexual preference, and contact information on their site. Some examples of social networks are “Facebook”, “My Space”, “Xanga”, “Xuqa” as well as many others. There are many positive aspects of social networks, some of which are included below:

Provides an increased sense of community

Improves social connections between students and peers at other institutions

Inexpensive ways to connect & communicate with students, peers

Innovative features and services, such as the textbook exchange

The frequency of the use and the sophistication of these technologies are attractive to prospective students

Just like anything that is good, there are dangers inherent in the use of social networks. Some of the safety issues that a user needs to be aware of are included below:

Identity Theft Danger: Social engineering: the act of obtaining otherwise secure data (passwords, credit card numbers, bank account numbers) by conning someone into revealing it.

Phishing or brand spoofing: tricking victims into revealing secure information based upon the trust of a brand name.

Privacy issues:

•Personal self-disclosures with a false feeling of “only my friends” see it

•Cyber stalking- predator using social network information about a person to stalk a user

Cyber image of each person may not accurately reflect the identity of that person and may lead to inappropriate cyber judgments and/or stereotypes

Students are unaware of potential negative consequences (some employers may search social networks as part of their hiring process)

Flames, searing e-mail, newsgroup, or text messages, in which a writer attacks another participant in overly harsh and often personal terms

False sense of security based on the fact some of these sites use an .edu email address, implying only other students can access the site. This is not true as many faculty, administrators and alumni (potential employers) have access to an .edu email address.

Here are some helpful hints to stay safe and be prepared:

1. Evaluate your social network accounts and postings—how do you feel about your employers seeing what you have posted? How about your parents or grandparents?

2. Do not post private information such as: cell phone, address, class schedule, social plans, etc. UNLESS you are prepared for anyone to find you/track you down, any time of the day or night.

3. Utilize all the “Privacy” settings on a social network account, if available—you can adjust your privacy settings so as to control who has access to your personal information.

4. Google yourself to see how your name or identity is being used.

5. You can subscribe to pubsub.com to keep track of your name and identity on the web.

6. Be prepared to answer questions about your social network accounts in job interviews. It has become common for interviewers to ask applicants “Are you on a social network and “What is on your profile?”; BE PREPARED to answer honestly because employers will most likely have explored this issue already.

HOMECOMING WEEKEND: We hope to see all our students and returning alumni for the annual Homecoming events this week. A lot of hard work has gone into organizing the events of the weekend, so take advantage of them. The Osprey Ball on October 6; excellent sporting events, fun games, educational opportunities, free giveaways, food and much more will be available on Saturday, 10/7/06; Alumni 5K run, car show, Eagles game in Lakeside, food and more on Sunday, 10/8/06. It will be the place to be!

PARKING UPDATE: Residential parking regulations are being strictly enforced so we are asking for your cooperation in this area. Also, it is anticipated that the new NORTH parking lot (near Housing 4) will be completed and opened this week. When that happens, the E-F Overflow lot will be closed (Oak Pond Rd. west of Bld. 80) as there is no lighting in that lot. We ask our residential students to use the new lot and not park in areas (grass, woods) that are not a designated parking area.

TIP OF THE WEEK: Seat belts save lives, so never drive a vehicle without wearing your seatbelt and ensuring your passengers also have their belt on. If you need a reason to wear it beyond the legal requirement, in fatal crashes, 75% of all passenger car occupants who were totally ejected were killed. Of those ejected, 99% of those were not wearing a safety belt. So “buckle up” as it is your life or that of a friend or loved one that may be saved.

Remember, safety is everyone’s business, so please report any safety or security concern to us at X4390 or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.