1. Social network users leave identity theft trail

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Aileen O'Toole, Managing Director, AMAS

Irish users of social networking sites are leaving behind a trail of identity clues that can leave them vulnerable to identity theft. An AMAS survey of 300 Irish users of such sites shows that users are more likely to leave their full names on Facebook than on Bebo or MySpace.

All 100 sample profiles on Facebook revealed full names, compared with 80% on the 100 profiles viewed on Bebo and 13% on a similar number viewed on MySpace. Combined with other clues – such as location, age, school or workplace – this information can be used to identify individuals and give more information about users than they would typically give to complete strangers.

However, the survey also shows that users were exercising some degree of care in not revealing phone numbers or email or physical addresses.

Among the 300 profiles reviewed:

• 10 of those surveyed gave their email addresses
• 2 Bebo users posted their full addresses
• 62 Facebook users gave their full dates of birth
• 9 MySpace users revealed their salaries

Guidance from identity theft experts would suggest that there is sufficient information on many of the profiles reviewed to identify the individuals concerned. The AMAS research also found that 98% of Bebo users, 83% of Facebook and 80% of MySpace users post their actual photographs online.

It also showed that although Facebook initially seemed to have the highest privacy protection, it is easy to gain access to a high proportion of profiles. Networks as broadly defined as “Ireland” allow access to anyone else logging in under that category.

Facebook displays full names, while Bebo and MySpace allow a nickname or username to be posted. Facebook and MySpace also ask for education or employment details, which Bebo does not for public access.

A significant minority of users are apparently oblivious to the fact that their pages could be accessed by employers or potential employers. Four users wrote about taking drugs, while 11 Bebo users detailed their drinking habits, as did six each on Facebook and MySpace. Others revealed racist and homophobic attitudes.

AMAS’s research comes on foot of growing concerns about identity theft and vigilance. Launching the makeITsecure campaign in February 2008, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, identified security as a key issue with social networking.

Eight out of 10 adults now give advice to children about online security while 68% are monitoring their children’s online usage, according to research for the makeITsecure campaign.

Back to the contents of State of the Net issue 8