Right now, it's the newest and most popular way to communicate, Facebook.com. The networking web community is an internet phenomenon, topped only by Yahoo and Google for monthly visits. People use Facebook to communicate with current friends, to find old friends, and to meet new people.
However, in order for people to find you, you have to provide some personal information.
Cory King of Enchanted Evolutions Digital Designs, says because of that, some people may be putting their personal information in jeopardy.
Cory's company tests the internet security of companies by trying to hack in, and it's easier than you think. Just do a search on the internet, and you'll find some sites that post or sell step-by-step instructions on how to break into personal profiles. "It's pretty scary that for $10, anyone can get access to any sort of hacking tool, hack into somebody's account on Facebook, MySpace, or what not, and can do a lot of damage."
We teamed up to test the security of popular sites. Facebook passed. The hackers couldn't access any personal information, but could alter or replace photos. Cory notes Facebook has made "sure a lot of personal information is secure. We tried for about 30 hours to get as much info as possible and we could not (do it)."
Other secure sites are Nexopia and AOL.
The websites that are only partially secure are Yahoo, Hotmail and MySpace. "There is a hack out there that can still be used to get into a lot of Hotmail accounts."
However, Gmail, Google's web-based e-mail provider, gets a failing grade. Cory's team easily accessed ten accounts.
Facebook may have passed our test, but we used only one company and one team of hackers. There are many professionals out there that are actually after your information, and if they want it - they can get it. Computer experts say with enough time, anything can be hacked. The best protection? If your personal information isn't on there, there's nothing to hack.
Frank Work, Alberta's Information and Privacy Commissioner says, "You just have to assume that anything you put on there can be read, and seen by anyone. You're just foolish to operate under any other assumption."
After the Virginia Tech massacre, Facebook was one of the first places students went to connect and grieve. The privacy commissioner says these sites do have great value to a generation. It's just important to realize the risks. "There is no privacy whatsoever."
It's important to read the privacy policy of every website you use. For example, within Facebook, your profile information and interests are automatically shared with everyone, unless you go into the privacy section and unselect those options.
Cory has sent the results of the hacking report to the websites in question, so they can use the information to improve their security.
© May 8, 2007: Global News Edmonton
Copyright (c) CW Media Inc.