Sharing personal information: Between prudent and negligent

Information shared on the internet is been tremendously done by everybody that have access to the internet. With the accessibility of the internet and the introduction of smart phone and tablet PC, it has increase the magnitude of information sharing. One of the medium use to share the information is the social media like Facebook and Twitter.

Nowadays, people use social media to share personal information and activities without realizing that they are sharing an important information to the possible criminals in the cyber network. You do not need to be a hacker or have a specific skills to get the information, you just search for the information in the internet. 

In social media, the web application allow you to specify your relationship with your family and relatives. Some give complete information about the family circles by specifying a person as your parents, your father and your sisters. Some share the information of birthday, workplace, home address, email and even telephone. All of these information should be kept private and undislosed. There are some exhibitionist who like to share everything, from favourite foods, interest, boyfriend, girlfriend and such.

In Malaysia, if you are making online purchase or transaction, the verification will cover the personal information. The banks will ask your date of birth, your last working experience, name of your mother and the like. After the banks have verified the information, the transaction will go to as the information given are valid. So, be very careful in disclosing your personal information, better yet, let it be in your head.

Some of these infomation you should kept to yourself to avoid the case of negligence or make it discreet and prudent:

• Birthday date
• Working experience
• Home address
• Mother's name

Some of the information on your personal interest can be used by the cyber criminal to guess your password. To ensure your password secure, try to use symbols and random numbers. Some of the cyber criminals will use 'Forget Password' function so that the system will ask a secret question that usually will involve your interest. For example, what is your favorite football club or what is your favorite TV series. Be cautious and self aware. 

These tips are based on my own personal experience dealing with banks on online or telephone transaction. Stop be an exhibitionist in the social media and start being a prudent person.