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Copyright © by EC-CouncilAll Rights Reserved. Reproduction is Strictly Prohibited.
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Security on Social Networking Sites
Simplifying Security.
Module 11
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SAN FRANCISCO — Social networks are "lucrative hot beds" for cyber scams as crooks endeavor to dupe members of online communities, according to a Microsoft security report released on Thursday.
"Phishing" attacks that use seemingly legitimate messages to trick people into clicking on booby‐trapped links, buying bogus software, or revealing information rocketed 1,200 percent at social networks last year, it said.
"We continue to see cyber criminals evolve attack methods such as a significant rise in social network phishing," Microsoft malware protection center manager Vinny Gullotto said in the Security Intelligence Report.
Phishing using social networking as a "lure" represented 84.5 percent of all such trickery in December as compared with 8.3 percent at the start of 2010, according to the report.
Microsoft analyzed data gathered from more than 600 million computer systems worldwide from July through December of last year for the semi‐annual study.
"The popularity of social networking sites has created new opportunities for cyber criminals to not only directly impact users, but also friends, colleagues and family through impersonation," the report said.
Cyber Scams Rife at Social Networks: Microsoft
http://www.physorg.com
May 12, 2011
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Scenario: Identity Theft over Social Networking Sites
Alice wanted to show her friends how fun her trip to Bahamas was. She uploaded her photos of the trip in one of the social networking sites. She was shocked when one of her friends showed her a website that contained her photos in compromised positions. She realized that the photos from her Bahamas trip were morphed.
What options has she left unchecked while uploading the photos?
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Module Objectives
Social Networking Sites
What is a Profile?
Top Social Networking Sites
Security Risks Involved in Social Networking Sites
Staying Safe on Facebook
Facebook: Security Tips
Staying Safe on MySpace
Security Measures
Social Networking Security Checklist
Social Networking Security Checklist for Parents and Teachers
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Introduction to Social Networking
Sites
Social Networking Security Threats
Staying Safe on Facebook
Staying Safe on MySpace
Module Flow
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Social Networking SitesSocial networking sites are web‐based services that allow users to build on‐line profiles, share information, pictures, blog entries, music clips, etc.
These sites allow users to create a list of other users with whom they can share information
It allows user to get themselves involved in discussion boards and hobby groups
It allow users to refer other potential users to businesses
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com) Facebook (http://www.facebook.com)
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What is a Profile?Facebook Profile Profile is a collection of information that
defines or describes a user’s interests
The main profile page of a user of any social networking site introduces and describes the user
The information that a user may post on his/her profile includes:
Names/nicknames
Email addresses
Phone numbers
Photos, videos
Personal interests
Names of schools, sports teams, and friends http://www.sophos.com
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Top Social Networking Sites
http://www.ebizmba.com
http://www.facebook.com
http://twitter.com
http://www.myspace.com
http://www.linkedin.com
http://www.ning.com
http://www.classmates.com
http://www.tagged.com
http://hi5.com
http://www.myyearbook.com
http://www.bebo.com
http://www.meetup.com
http://www.mylife.com
http://www.friendster.com
http://multiply.com
http://www.myheritage.com
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Introduction to Social Networking
Sites
Social Networking Security Threats
Staying Safe on Facebook
Staying Safe on MySpace
Module Flow
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Attacks on a Social Networking Sites
Security Risks Involved in Social Networking Sites
Cyberbullying
Identity Theft
Phishing Scams
Malware Attacks
Site Flaws
Objectionable Content
Overexposure
Contact with Predators
Contact Inappropriate Adults and Businesses
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Cyberbullying refers to the abuse of technology to harass or threaten the Internet users
The information posted on social networking sites such as pictures, videos, comments, updates can be used to spread false rumors, threaten to reveal the information on the Internet, harass/blackmail the user, stalking the user, etc.
According to a research by the Pew Internet Project, 39% of social network users had been cyber‐bullied in some way, compared to 22% of online teens who do not use social networks
Cyberbullying
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Identity TheftPeople often get carried away with posting information onto social networking sites
Left in the hands of cyber criminals, such information can be used to hack into an online services security questions, leading to identity theft
Attacker can also use the information to penetrate into the corporate network of a company of his/her target
Alternatively, the attacker may find the user’s name, browse through his/her social profile
He can then write an e‐mail based on the user’s interests bearing a malicious link or document
UserAttacker
Malicious email
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Social networking sites contains user’s information like the email addresses, archived messages
This information can be used to customize email messages or fake websites designed such that the victims disclose usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, etc.
Phishing Scams
If a user clicks on the Update button, he/she is redirected to a Facebook look‐alike phishing site
Users are then asked to enter a password to complete the Update procedure
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Malware Attacks Malware attacks are carried out
through social engineering as users are mostly misled into clicking on malicious links embedded within personal messages
Malicious software give attackers access to your profile and personal information
Malicious software may also send messages automatically to your "friends" list, instructing them to download the new application too
Another method of attack involves applications advertised on social networking sites, which appear genuine
However, some of these applications install malicious code or rogue antivirus software
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Site FlawsThere have been instances when site flaws in the social networking sites allow the information of the users to be accessed, even though the privacy settings are set
Such information can include mother’s maiden name, often used as a security question in online and real‐life security checks
Social Networking Sites Flaws
Server‐side flaws
Cross‐site scriptingCross‐site request forgery
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On many social networking communities, users post material that is not appropriate for children
This can include obscene, racist or violent text and images
Many community pages may contain material that is not appropriate for the children
The child may be involved in posting pictures of himself or herself or of friends that may be misused
Individuals with intention to exploit minors may create community pages pretending to be teens themselves
Objectionable Content Contact with PredatorsOverexposure
Social Networking Threats to Minors
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Introduction to Social Networking
Sites
Social Networking Security Threats
Staying Safe on Facebook
Staying Safe on MySpace
Module Flow
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Facebook Privacy Settings Facebook allows the users to set the privacy settings for:
Search
Friend requests
Messages
Friend List
Education and Work
Current city and Hometown
Likes, activities and other connections
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Facebook Privacy Settings
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Profile SettingsSet the profile settings as “Only my friends”‐By default, Facebook allows all of your networks and all of your friends to be able to view your profile
The users reveal personal information to potential identity thieves if they leave this option to default settings
Therefore, it is advised to allow your profile to be viewed by only friends
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Privacy Settings for ApplicationsPrivacy settings for applications controls what information shared with websites and apps, including search engines
You can view your apps, remove any you don't want to use, or turn off platform completely
Everybody on Facebook can read the user notes, but it is advisable to limit visibility of notes to just friends
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Settings to Block UsersThis settings lets you block people from interacting with you or seeing your information on Facebook
You can also specify friends you want to ignore app invites from, and see a list of the specific apps that you've blocked from accessing your information and contacting you
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Recommended Actions for Facebook Search Settings
Allow anyone to see my public search listing
Allow my public search listing to be indexed by external search engines
See your picture
Send you a message
Poke you
Add you as a friend
View your friend list
Be careful
“No”
Be careful
“No”
“No”
Be careful
“No”
Option Recommended Action ReasonThe users should select the option “Yes” only if they want people they are familiar with to know that they are on Facebook
The user should not allow people who are not yet their friends to view their friend list
Be cautious before accepting anyone's friend request
By responding to the poke from an unknown user, the users will be allowing him/her to view their profile information for a period of time
If the users respond to a message sent by someone that they are not friends with, the unknown users will be able to view the user’s profile
Do not share pictures that may embarrass or that are personal
If enabled, it allows people using external search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN to find the user on Facebook
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Facebook: Security TipsFacebook: Security Tips
1. Adjust Facebook privacy settings to help protect identity
2. Think carefully about who is allowed to become a friend
3. Show "limited friends" a cut‐down version of the profile
Facebook allows its users to make people 'limited friends' who only have partial access to the user profile
This is useful if the users have connections who they do not feel comfortable sharing personal information with
4. Enable access to information only when necessary
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Introduction to Social Networking
Sites
Social Networking Security Threats
Staying Safe on Facebook
Staying Safe on MySpace
Module Flow
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Step 1: Go to “Account Settings”
Go to Account Settings Privacy
Do not check Online Now if you do not wish others to know when you log in
Check Show my birthday to my friends only if necessary
Do not check following options under applications: Do not allow my profile information to
be accessed by games and third party services I haven’t connected to option
Do not allow communications from games and third party services I haven’t connected to
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Step 2: Check Settings for “Comments” and “Mail”
Go to Account Settings Comments and check Only Friends can add comments to my blog
Go to Account Settings Mail and check only people I know to receive emails from people you know
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Step 3: Check Settings for “Friends Request” and “IM”
Go to Account Settings Friends Request
Check Require CAPTCHA [?] from users suspected of spamming and also check other options according to your choice
Go to Account Settings IM
Check Only My IM friends to appear only friends in the IM list
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Step 4: Check Settings for Stream Settings
Go to Account Settings My published activities and check the proper option according to your choice
Go to Account Settings My Friends' Activities and check the proper option according to your choice
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Step 5: Settings for Block Users By Age
Do not check Allow users under 18 to contact me
Checking this option would allow all the fake users who pretend to be Under 18access to the account
To deny any unauthorized access to the profile: Block the user by adding their profile URL to the Blocked users list
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Module Summary
Social networking sites allow users to build online profiles, share information, pictures, blog entries, music clips, etc.
The main profile page of a user of a social networking site introduces and describes the user
Cyberbullying is the process of using technology to harass or bully someone
Social networking sites contain the user’s information like email addresses, archived messages that can be used to customize email messages, or fake websites
Malware attacks are carried out through social engineering as users are mostly misled into clicking malicious links embedded within personal messages
Set appropriate privacy and security defaults and choose a complex/unique password for the account
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Read the privacy policy and terms of service carefully
Do not post anything personal on the social networking site
Set appropriate privacy and security defaults to make your profile private
Choose a complex/unique password for the account
Be careful about what is posted on the Internet
Be careful installing third‐party applications
Only accept friend requests from people you know
Only share limited personal information
Social Networking Security Checklist
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Do not use common verification such as your date of birth or your mother's maiden name
Be aware of the intentions of anyone you meet on these sites
Restrict the access of personal videos on social networking sites to friends
Apply privacy settings so that only friends can view your profile information
Disable the comments to prevent cyber bullying
Do not click suspicious links to prevent malicious attacks
Update the computer with the latest antivirus and other system security software
Never install codecs when a site prompts you to do so
Social Networking Security Checklist
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Read the privacy policies of the sites before allowing children to use them
Consider keeping the computer in a family room rather than the child’s bedroom
Instruct children to never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make them feel uncomfortable
Be open with kids; encourage and instruct them to seek permission before providing any details on social networking sites
Create your own account on the social network and spend some time on the network's site to familiarize with social networking media
Create a cheat sheet with your child's password, a list of his/her approved friends, and rules for how your child operates
Know children's passwords, screen names, and account information; this will help in monitoring their activities
Instruct your child to add people to their "friends" list only if they know them in real life
Social Networking Security Checklist for Parents and Teachers
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