What Is Social Networking?

Social Networking. . . It's the way the 21st century communicates today. Want to know what it really means?

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online.

This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other people, to gather and share first-hand information and experiences about cooking, golfing, gardening, developing friendships or professional alliances, finding employment, business-to-business marketing and even groups sharing information about the end of the Mayan calendar and the Great Shift to arrive December 21, 2012. The topics and interests are as varied and rich as the story of our universe.

When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them.

The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity because the internet gives individuals from all around the world access to social networking sites. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Denmark or India. Not only will you make new friends, but you just might learn a thing or two about new cultures or new languages and learning is always a good thing.

As mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular interests, there are others that do not. The websites without a main focus are often referred to as "traditional" social networking websites and usually have open memberships. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends and eliminate members that do not share common interests or goals.

As I'm sure you're aware, there are dangers associated with social networking including data theft and viruses, which are on the rise. The most prevalent danger though often involves online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also exists in the real world, too. Just like you're advised when meeting strangers at clubs and bars, school, or work -- you are also advised to proceed with caution online.

By being aware of your cyber-surroundings and who you are talking to, you should be able to safely enjoy social networking online. It will take many phone conversations to get to know someone, but you really won't be able to make a clear judgment until you can meet each other in person. Just use common sense and listen to your inner voice; it will tell you when something doesn't feel right about the online conversations taking place.

Once you are well informed and comfortable with your findings, you can begin your search from hundreds of networking communities to join. This can easily be done by performing a standard internet search. Your search will likely return a number of results, including MySpace, FriendWise, FriendFinder, Yahoo! 360, Facebook, Orkut, and Classmates.

Understanding cyber crime

Parents, teachers, non-profits, government, and industry have been working hard to protect kids online. However, we also need to think about protecting the Internet from kids who might abuse it.
The Department of Justice categorizes computer crime in three ways:

The computer as a target - attacking the computers of others (spreading viruses is an example).
The computer as a weapon - using a computer to commit "traditional crime" that we see in the physical world (such as fraud or illegal gambling).
The computer as an accessory - using a computer as a "fancy filing cabinet" to store illegal or stolen information.
Reports of alleged computer crime have been a hot news item of late. Especially alarming is the realization that many of the masterminds behind these criminal acts are mere kids. In fact, children no longer need to be highly skilled in order to execute cyber crimes. "Hacker tools" are easily available on the Net and, once downloaded, can be used by even novice computer users. This greatly expands the population of possible wrongdoers. Children (and in some cases - their parents) often think that shutting down or defacing Web sites or releasing network viruses are amusing pranks. Kids might not even realize that what they are doing is illegal. Still other kids might find themselves hanging out online with skilled hackers who share hacking tools with them and encourage them to do inappropriate things online. Unfortunately, some of these kids don't realize that they are committing crimes until it is too late. Even more distressing and difficult to combat is the fact that some in the media portray the computer criminal as a modern day Robin Hood. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Dangers of Facebook! (and other social networking sites)

The purpose of this is certainly not to scare you away from social networking. It's just to make you aware that there are dangers out there that you need to watch out for. Social networking can be all fun and games, just like it's meant to be, if a few precautions are taken.

Sites like Facebook, MySpace and many others are no more dangerous than any other form of online media such as email, im'ing, chat boards, uploading music and videos from a p2p, or browsing personal websites. You still need to keep your eyes open for the same things and beware, because the hackers are out there, just watching and waiting for you to click on their tricks.

Facebook Worms

What these Facebook worms all have in common is that none of them are telling you the truth. Another thing they have in common is how they compromise your privacy and the privacy of your Facebook friends. Don't be fooled, just be warned.


Koobface Virus - It makes you think you're going to watch a funny video or see a funny photo of your friend.
Profileye Worm - Tells you people are looking at your profile which piques your curiosity as to who it could be.
Error Check Worm - Tells you that some of your friends are having trouble viewing your Facebook page.
Facebook Shuts You Down - Instructs you that Facebook has just shut you down because you did something wrong.
Facebook's Not The Only One

Sure, Facebook's been in the news with worms, but they're not the only social networking site that's being targeted, or can become targeted. Hackers are a talented bunch and will find any hole they can. All social networking sites are vulnerable, just as are other forms of online media.

Protect Yourself

Here are some simple things you can do to protect yourself from online problems:

Use antivirus and adware software - This will only protect you against certain things. It won't protect you against many of the worms that are application based, but it will protect you against some of them (and many other things).
Only Update From a Software Site - If you go to view a video on Facebook and you're told to update your software, think twice. Don't update it from there. If you think you may really need to update your software, go to the website of the software itself and update it.
Don't Click Strange Links - If you get a message saying something like "Facebook has a message for you, click here", don't click there. If Facebook has something to tell you, they would have emailed it to you. If you have a question about a message you received, email them.
Ask First - If you're not sure if your friend sent you something, maybe it looks suspicious, ask them. Just send them an email asking them if they sent it before clicking on anything.
Don't Be Afraid

Facebook and other social networking sites are just as safe, if not safer than your standard email client. Definitely safer than downloading music or videos from one of those peer to peer sites. Safer even than browsing some people's personal websites. [\p]

These are not the kinds of worms or virus' that shut down your computer or anything like that. These just send out messages to your friends using your own friend list, or something similar.

Social networking has, in some ways, replaced email. In some ways it's better; less spam, more people get the message. As long as you're careful, social networking can be a great way to make friends and network.