Community Chat

[newziesuzie]

The thread about Facebook and the Prince 

of Wales etc. got me wondering,

what are some tips to stay up to date on internet

 hoaxes and scams etc to

use Facebook and email and other 

online things safely?

Some of it seems very tricky 

nowadays.

😱🤔

😊

[sunshine45]

@newziesuzie

i almost always do some web searches to see if anything is up, plus i always check snopes. that website seems to be up to date on much of what is going on. i believe there are a few other websites also. maybe someone will post those.

i always try to remember the old saying also....."if it seems to good to be true then it probably is....."

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Facebook Hoax-Slayer

[newziesuzie]

Thanks @sunshine45 and @JeanLouiseFinch!

😊✌️

[Tinkrbl44]

A good place to start would be to stop being naive ... and gullible.

[scotnovel]

Do you scan for viruses routinely?  If you do pick something up your anti virus software should help if it is up to date.  AARP fraud network section on their website has some of the latest news about scams and viruses.  Snopes website is another one that sometimes has info on Facebook and other scams.  

The main thing with Facebook is to just use common sense.  Don't confirm anyone as a friend unless you KNOW who they are.  They could be someone trying to get info on you and they could be the thief down the street from you, using a fake name, checking to see when you are going to be out of town or out of your house.  Don't put vacation info or other family events on facebook until you return home or until after they are complete.  Too many people post things like -  heading to the airport now on our way to Italy - or -  we are all going to daughters recital debut tonight.  You might as well just tell the world - hello our house will be empty tonight. 

[Puzzle Piece]

I have never joined Facebook, never will.

Around 6-7 years ago, a poster wrote in for prayer, advice, she shared her woes, etc.....Well, I just didn't buy it.  I let her know too.  Of course I was slammed by all.  Turns out after two years, the poster was a male, and he'd played all the repliers for weeks and months.  Called them all stupid fat cows.  Dumb.  He promised to be back under another name and I've seen postings that are very suspicious.  How gullable many are.  Let's me know they are easy to take advantage of, especially financially. 

[Zhills]

Facebook can be as public or as private as you want it to be.

The problem is that most people don't know enough computer jargon to understand it.  You have to set your 'settings' and 'privacy' and most people don't know how to do that.  They just learn how to log on.

I have 2 pages and both are restricted to a small number of friends and I do not turn on all the 'platforms' and play the 'games'. 

Everyone should have an email address that they use just for Facebook.  It should not be what you use at the bank!  But....nobody listens or maybe they don't understand that anything on the internet can be copied.

[Carmie]

I think it's all pretty easy if you use common sense.

if someone was knocking on your back,door would you open it without checking to see who it was?  If you did not reconize the person, would you just let them in?

If they said they are with the electric company would you check their ID?

Well, the internet is like your back door at home,  People you do not know are strangers even if their names are familiar to you. Don't let them in.

Would you give money to someone who,knocked in your door and said they were the IRS?  So, why do people wire money to people who call on the phone and say they are the IRS?  Why do people return phone calls to,people they don't know?

Thieves are out there as they always were.  They are just,looking for different ways to reach in your pocket.

When in doubt, trust your instincts.