Finding Love With Safe Online Dating

The Miami New Times of Feb 19 2010that the security software Iovation identified  7,588 different instances of spam, over 30,000 scams and solicitations, over 13,000 profile misrepresentations, and over 5,000 cases of identity mining and phishing in the preceding 90 days.
This system, which was just awarded Best New Technology at the 2010 Internet Dating Awards, records suspect computers IP addresses from scammers using multiple profiles and leverages the information with online communities.

As excellent as the system is what can you do to take charge ofyour online security?

With over 50 million zooskers, and over 8 million singles logging into it’s featured Facebook application every month Zoosk has rapidly risen to mega profits and shown that social network dating is here to stay.

Face book alone has a number of other dating applications Are You Interested, Best Match, Flirt Wall, and Most Eligible Single to name a few.

Others have taken the guess work out of dating and used computerization to find your perfect match.

eHarmony has a patented system that recognizes opposites may attract, it is similarities that hold us together.

Compared with the early days of Match.com, when online dating was a new and scary concept people are far more willing to give it ago.

However, as on any social networking site, where there is a crowd, there is also an invitation for criminals.

For a long time, dating sites and social networks were two very different animals, withtwo entirely separate online identities. Now that Zoosk has changed the rules Mind Freak feels its time for a friendly reminder of what we need to tighten up on so you can date online problem free.

People have reason to be cautious of cyber criminals. However, research reveals that people, even though initially cautious, gradually drop their guad and become potential targets for identity fraud and other crimes.

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team listed the following security fears of social networking sites:

• the internet provides a sense of anonymity
• the lack of physical interaction provides a false sense of security
• they tailor the information for their friends to read, forgetting that others may see it
• they want to offer insights to impress potential friends or associates

“While the majority of people using these sites do not pose a threat, malicious people may be drawn to them because of the accessibility and amount of personal information that’s available” they said.

Guard Your Anonymity

“Never include your last name, real email address, personal Web site URL, home address, phone number, place of work or any other identifying information in your profile or initial emails you exchange with other members” says RSVP Australia.

Turn off your signature file and senders name details.

• Evaluate the sites  settings – Take advantage of a site’s privacy settings. Customize your settings to restrict access to only certain people. However, there is a this private information could berevealed, so don’t post anything that you wouldn’t want the public to see.
• Be cautious when deciding which applications you enable. Check your settingsto restrict what information the applications can access.
• Use strong passwords -  If your password is compromised, someone else may be able to access your account and pretend to be you. They m,ay even be able to hijack youremaiol account andsend spam in your name.
• Check privacy policies – Some sites may share information such as email addresses or user preferences with other companies. This may lead to an increase in spam (see Reducing Spam for more information). Also, try to locate the policy for handling referrals to make sure that you do not unintentionally sign your friends up for spam. Some sites will continue to send email messages to anyone you refer until they join.
• Use and maintain anti-virus software – and keep it up to date.

Keep your personal details private

Limit the amount of personal information you post such as your schedule and routine.

Remember that the internet is a public resource –so only reveal information you are comfortable seeing in public. Also consider that photos of your friends you post online become public as well.

The internet makes it easy for people to misrepresent their identities and motives.

So do not give any contact information to someone until you feel comfortable with them. Be cautious and selective. Ask questions and do not proceed further until you are satisfied with their answers.

Don’t believe everything you read online. People may post false or misleading information sometimes it’s a joke. It may be because they a re cautious to protect their own privacy.

It is not necessarily done with malicious intent, or could be an exaggeration

“Don’t give out your surname, phone numbers or address details to anyone over the Internet until you feel safe to do so” said RSVP. “If you choose to share your personal email address with another member it is strongly recommended you create a new email address with Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail or another free email service provider just for this purpose.”

Do not use your surname in the sender’s name.

Also  avoid using work emails because  rachel.smith@abccompany.com.au is usually easier for criminals to identify. Mobile numbers are safer to use for phone contact.

Meet When YOU Are Ready

“The beauty of meeting and communicating online is that you can gradually collect information and then make a choice about pursuing the relationship in the real world” said RSVP.

“ You are never obligated to meet anyone – regardless of your level of online intimacy. And even if you do decide to arrange a meeting you always have the right to change your mind. It’s possible that your decision to keep the relation”

However, online relationships easily mix our own false perceptions with very little online information.

If you are not careful the feeling of anonymity that the net gives may trick you to reveal more than you intended.

Talk on the Phone

Use the phone to bridge from online to  a face-to-face meeting. The telephone allows you to detect a lot about people by their telephone  mannerisms. Use a mobile phone number for added security.

Choose a Safe Place

If you decide to meet face-to-face, choose a familiar safe location, full of people.

Day light may be best at first, as most predators will avoid acting in broad daylight and surrounded by people.

“Always arrange to meet in a busy public place – and arrive and leave on your own, using your own transport” said RSVP . “Avoid hikes, bike rides or drives in remote areas for the first few dates. If you decide to move to another location then take your own car.”

Initially, do not accept lifts.

Take a friend along

You may prefer to take a friend who may stay at a safe protective distance.  Another option is to is to tell a friend where you’re are going – ring them before you go and when you return – and stick to it.

Trust your instincts

If you feel uneasy with someone trust your instincts, its better to be wrong that hurt and sorry. If someone pressures you when decide to leave an uncomfortable situation , then do you really want them as a date?

Don’t get financially involved

Never send anyone money or offer financial assistance to someone you have just started contact with.

If you think there is a genuine problem then get it investigated in your behalf first.

Besides protecting yourself physically and emotionally how can you avoid outright scams?

Scam Alert Signals

• Mention of being in some form of financial difficulty or needing financial assistance.
• Within days or weeks the other person says that they are totally in love with you despite never having met. The emails may also be long and romantic tell you nothing about the person.
• Photos that are ‘Too good to be true’.
• Are they young and good looking or out of your specified age requirements?
• Questions you ask come back unanswered.
• Be cautious If they are from overseas and claim their friends met someone online from your country and hey want to do the same.
  • Be cautious  of emails using  words like structure and marriage agency.
• Excessive use of words such as:-
  • I have
  • I hope
  • I want
• The emails talk about Russian men being alcoholics and not knowing how to treat women.
• “Never send money. If they cannot afford a plane ticket and you want to take the risk, tell them you will organize and pay for the ticket and arrange for where they can pick the ticket up from” said RSVP.

Scam Prevention Strategies:

Although RSVP adds  “we would however not recommend paying for a ticket when you’ve not met before.”

• Never mention your financial status. Keep the topics to things like your hobbies, sports or what your plans are for the future.
• If you wish to meet the person then you be the one to visit them.
• Ask for details such as where they live, their mailing address and contact numbers. Attempting to send a small gift like flowers can help to identify if the address provided is legitimate or not.

If you feel a member of a dating site is a scammer, then contactthedating site you are using to protect other members.

Source: While sourcedfrom multiple site, the informationis primarily from RSVP Australia.