Facebook & Social Networking sites

The latest craze at the moment are social networking sites like Facebook, which are growing at a fantastic rate. On the surface they seem like an excellent idea but the potential for data being stolen from your site is great also. People that use these sorts of sites seem very keen to put lots of information about themselves on the web without any thought of the consequences. Fraudsters are now targeting sites like this to gather and harvest information, with these details they are then able to steal peoples identities. If you are using sites such as these then a little more caution must be exercised.

Now I'm not saying that these sites shouldn't be used as they are great for keeping in touch with lots of people that you might not do normally. Having an account on a few different sites like this I can see first hand how easy it is to get information off of people and it doesn't take too much to be just a little more aware of what you put on there without spoiling any of the fun on the site. If the explosion in these sites continues then potential fraudsters will start targeting them much more aggressively than they are at the moment. Beware!

Mark

Comments

[James H]

You're the third person I've heard mention this in a week and I think you're right about taking a more cautious approach to social networking and not underestimating the potential for cybercrime. The reality is that malicious activity online has shifted dramatically from teenage hackers wanting to gain notoriety for creating a potentially destructive virus to organised criminals who will do their utmost to make sure their malicious activities are undetected.

Beyond the obvious risks of identity theft, the psychology of social networking is also very interesting and I think it is too early to say whether the more carefree, expressive and transparent nature of many MySpace and Facebook profiles is a good or a bad thing. Perhaps it will lead to more openness, collaborative spirit and tolerance or eventually drown in anti-social behaviour and cyberbullying?

From a business perspective I personally believe Linkedin illustrates a safer and potentially more sustainable networking model. A lot a MySpace users seem to switching to Facebook, which is apparently in the process of being sued for copyright infringement, and, no doubt, there will be a new ‘big thing’ in the coming year for everyone to flood into.

By the way, it wasn’t very nice of you to throw that jar at Shelley ;) – I think she should throw something a lot bigger and harder back.

[James H]

In the context of Shelley's post on the HR function becoming more strategic and business needs focused I'm just wondering what her view is on social networking from a 'contemporary' HR perspective - another unwelcome workplace distraction and drain on productivity or something that should be embraced for fostering greater understanding of colleagues and promoting team spirit?

As someone responsible for recruitment, does she check out a potential candidates MySpace, Facebook and/or Linkedin profiles (if accessible)? And what perceptions does she gain or judgements might she make?

[Shelleyhr]

Ironically we have recently posted vacancies on Face book to explore this as a recruitment avenue; it has not proved very successful to date. My personal opinion is that Face book is a great social network tool and useful for discussions, I believe as long as it is used sensibly in the work place there is no need to stop it. I can however, see the problems that it may cause if it was not used appropriately.
In addition, I do believe that it would be totally unethical and potentially unlawful to use facebook and others alike to filter job applications based on the information shown on their board. It is my opinion that this would be treated in the same vein as disqualifying candidates based on race, age and sexual orientation.
Like all technology advancements, I believe that it is important to embrace them and integrate them as far as possible. We currently have an issue with IPod usage, but because we want to protect our fun relaxed culture it has more implications for us than just making a decision to allow it or not.
Besides, should we really care about what people do or how they achieve their work (as long it is ethical and law abiding), if they are delivering the required service or output?

[James H]

Interesting feedback Shelley. Are you saying that on this basis you have an HR policy of explicitly not looking at potential candidates' social network profiles? If you do review them as part of an informal or formal process, where would you stand on observations of, or indeed perceptions of, illegal activities or behavioural tendencies likely to bring the company into disrepute that are seen on these profiles.

Also, would you class Linkedin (www.linkedin.com) in the same category as sites you would not use in the filtering of applications. It seems to me that of all the social network technology developments in recent years, Linkedin has real potential to provide strategic and business benefits to an organisation's HR function.

[James H]

I'm fast reaching the conclusion that 'right here, right now' Facebook in particular serves no real business purpose and for a company like Cobweb for whom 'security and privacy of data' is of paramount importance potentially poses more threat than opportunity.

Where social networks have grown primarily out of teenage phenomenons, such as MySpace, and University networks, such as Facebook, their benefit to business is currently dubious and unproven. However, the potential to undermine security and privacy of data in particular goes a long way beyond previous developments such as 'instant messaging'.

From a customer perception perspective, I'd feel more comfortable with the idea that the company I'd entrusted with my email or web based data was focused on that task and not potentially distracted by the lure of social networking.

[Mark]

I think I agree with you on this one James. There is a novelty value attached to facebook and it can be useful for getting in touch with people you haven't heard from for a while but are we all trying to make our lives sound more exciting and wonderful than they really are?! It seems to be a case of 'look at our holiday photos or my nights out' rather than the 'real life' stuff that happens daily.

From Cobweb's perspective things like Facebook have only ever been used as a personal tool for employees rather than something that the Company as an entity was distracted by.

By the way, the group you were interested in has now been removed for some reason! Even more of a reason to move on quickly! ;)