So it seems that there is a “day” for everything… Kiss a Ginger Day, National Strawberry Ice Cream Day… even as I write this I note that it is National Chocolate Cake Day.
Mmm, chocolate cake…
I digress. So. Jan 28th is Data Privacy Day. Woooo! Let’s raise a glass to that, send a card and congratulate each other on how bloody good we are at securing our data. But wait, how good are we really? For just a moment let’s not consider all the data we are holding on our smart phones about all of our customers, their contact details, emails about the latest big deal / sale… Let’s think of ourselves. Just for a few minutes.
When was the last time you checked your own Social Media Footprint? You know, all that stuff you are putting out there on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ (is that still a thing?). Now how would you like to know in a couple of simple steps how you can check what you have made “public”?
Allow me to show you one method:
- Open your web browser in “private” or “incognito” mode. This will give you a browsing session that, in effect, is logged out of all your social media accounts
- Go to Google or Bing (or your chosen search engine) and enter your own name. Sounds sad I know but trust me on this one. Ideally put your name in quotes – “Darren Hodder” for example
- Browse through the results. Do you like what you see?
Now, high five, pat yourself on the back, it is the weekend…
D.
About Darren Hodder
Darren is the director of Fraud Consulting Ltd, which was incorporated in July 2009 to provide vendor neutral fraud consultancy services to clients covering financial services, banking, telecommunications and insurance industries, both in the UK and internationally.
His experience ranges from working on single portfolio in-house solutions through to national fraud bureaux and data sharing initiatives. Prior to his current position Darren worked for Experian Decision Analytics (EDA) where he held various roles within the Fraud & Identity Solutions and Global Technology groups over a 10 year period.
Darren is an active member of the Fraud Advisory Panel, IAFCI and the ACFE. He is also a member of the editorial board for E-Finance & Payments Law & Policy published by Cecile Park Publishing.
Follow Darren on twitter: @FraudAssist