[AT] Change - way off topic

[Ken Knierim]

Facebook is a security risk, just like anything else you put private
information into (like the computer sitting in front of you). That said, I
still use it a lot as there are quite a number of my friends on there that I
can keep track of. And if you don't put the personal information (birthdays,
addresses, etc) it tends to make things more difficult for someone to use
against you. With all the texting and Facebook my wife does (she cannot make
calls at work but she can text me), the identity theft issues we've had
stemmed from a debit card transaction at a high-end restaurant... apparently
the "help" in the back lifted the card numbers and did some damage to my
wife's credit. We've changed our habits and use the credit card mode instead
and have become even more vigilant about locking down information wherever
it resides.

If folks look on my Facebook pages they will find certain items lacking...
exact correct birthdates, exact addresses, etc (unless it's public record).
Also, if I am going to be out of town for any reason, it will not be posted
for others to read, and in many cases I'll check in to see what my lunatic
friends may be doing when I'm holed up in a motel somewhere... beats
watching TV for me and this list isn't always prolific enough to keep me
busy long.

Texting can be PITA but it can also be quite useful. I have my bank set up
to give me notifications via text when my account is low so I don't bounce a
check or something, and it has saved me some trouble. I did some research
before committing to this so I could feel comfortable with the security
involved,

All these new features and functions are tools. If someone wants to steal
your identity, they are going to find a way. Just don't give them the keys
to your house too. Here in Arizona we are the identity theft capital and we
have to deal with this daily. I've seen plenty of folks who put every detail
about themselves online (whatever they do, etc)... and they get filtered out
in my world (takes 2 clicks on Facebook). An identity thief will probably
use their information long before they'll spend the time to crack my
defenses, and that works for me. Someone once referred to it as a Darwinian
IQ test. Let someone else make the mistakes; there are about 150 million
people in the US and there ARE going to be mistakes.

Distracted driving is a real problem... get some firefighters talking about
their experiences sometime. My favorite was the gal who was doing her hair,
driving to work and smoking a cigarette. Did fine until she sprayed the
hairspray and set her 'do alight... while driving. It was out by the time
they got there and the biggest injury was to someone's pride. Nearly
everyone got a laugh out of it, but it could have killed someone. Didn't
even need a cellphone for that one...

For some reason I prefer driving my truck in traffic as opposed to a wee
little car. Just wish it was an Oshkosh or something with a V plow
sometimes. :)

Ken in AZ

On Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 3:26 PM, charlie hill <charliehill at embarqmail.com>wrote:

> I use Facebook but not a lot.  I use it to keep up with some folks I don't
> see much and that would never think to let me what is going on with them
> (neighborhood kids that have gone off to school or whatever).  I talk to a
> few folks on FB but almost always with a private message which isn't much
> different than an e-mail.  As for posting all the details of my life on my
> page and feeling the need to tell everyone which pair of shoes I'm wearing
> or having the urge to buy Cows or fertilize my virtual farm they can forget
> about me.  Facebook CAN BE a very big and loose hole in personal security
> if
> you don't know what you are doing on there.
>
>