Protecting yourself online
A realistic Guide to life at UCLan - written by students!
Most of you are probably aware that people are not always who they say they are on the internet, so it is important to protect yourself online. However, there are other things you need to protect through your online presence – your reputation for one.
So why does it matter if everyone can see your social networking profile?
Well it all depends on the information you post on there. If you are applying for a job and there are pictures of you behaving inappropriately and there are offensive comments posted on your Facebook profile, do you think someone will want to hire you? Employers look on social networking sites, the university looks on social networking sites and your parents may also be on social networking sites so you have to think about how you present yourself to the world.
You also need to be very careful about the personal information you put on the internet. By giving away your name, address, email, phone number and date of birth you are providing information that could be used to steal your identity. You also need to think about who knows where you live. Now we don’t mean to be overdramatic but if you meet someone online you don’t really know who they are and this person will have all your contact details and know exactly where to find you.
There are also cases of gangs of thugs picking up information about events online and travelling to the event to trash the place – no it’s not big, clever or funny. It’s potentially dangerous and very costly.
Social networking can have a very positive impact on your social life and help you build and maintain relationships with your new friends at university as well as your friends back home. It’s just important that you think about what you are doing!
Visit the Facebook Group, Padlock your Privates, run by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for help and advice.