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Social Networking and Identity Theft in the Digital Society

Authors:
Eric Holm

Keywords: social networking; identity theft; identity fraud.

Abstract:
This paper explores the vulnerability of social network users to identity theft facilitated by the information they share on social networking sites. While social networking presents new possibilities for friendships and the sharing of interests, at the same time it brings vulnerability through the outflow of personal information online. Identity criminals can exploit the weaknesses of social network users and social networking sites, effectively enabling the identity criminal to construct an identity from the information they obtain. The information gathered by an identity criminal can be used to establish identity, a powerful precursor to committing identity fraud. While there are preventative mechanisms that can reduce the incidence of this crime, information sharing on social networks is common and voluntary, which makes it difficult to control. While this paper presents an evaluation of existing work, further empirical research work is needed to understand the vulnerability of personal information on social networking sites. Social networking sites have a vested interest in promoting rather than preventing the sharing of information. In addition, identity crime is pervasive, which makes the amelioration of the risks difficult. In concluding this paper, efforts are made to point toward starting points that will assist in resolving this crime.

Pages: 169 to 175

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2014

Publication date: March 23, 2014

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-3956

ISBN: 978-1-61208-324-7

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Dates: from March 23, 2014 to March 27, 2014