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Field Guide to Using Privacy & Security Features in Social Media
(Updated November 2012)
For most REALTORS®, social media has become an integral part of their marketing and communication efforts with clients, family and friends. This new media also brings with it some concerns over privacy and security. The rules of the game keep changing. Gone are the days when 'default' options are good enough. This updated field guide will give you background information on concerns with various popular social media sites as well as provide tips and suggestions to protect your privacy and identity. (D. Shumaker, Senior Library Information Specialist)
Background
What they Know, (Wall Street Journal). The hub for the paper’s multi-year series on digital privacy and technology with articles on tracking, data mining, leaks, security, the law, and consumer privacy.
Facebook’s False Faces Undermine its Credibility, (New York Times, Nov. 12, 2012). According to its own research, almost 9 percent of Facebook profiles are fake or duplicates and the problem is expected to grow.
Privacy Management on Social Media Sites, (Pew Research Center, Feb. 2012). Social network users are becoming more active in pruning and managing their accounts. Women and younger users tend to unfriend more than others.
Mark Zuckerberg is Losing his War on Privacy, (Atlantic Monthly, Nov. 2011).
Study: Social media polarizes our privacy concerns, (MSNBC, Mar. 3, 2011)—Facebook and its competitors are challenging long-held perceptions of privacy.
Six Reasons Why I'm Not on Facebook, by Wired UK's Editors, (Wired Epicenter Blog, Sept. 18, 2010)—Does Mark Zuckerberg have your best interests at heart? Probably not...
The Web Means the End of Forgetting, (New York Times, July 21, 2010).
Using Privacy & Security Settings
Read the privacy policies of Facebook, Foursquare, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter
Facebook & Your Privacy, (Consumer Reports, June 2012). Who sees the data you share on the biggest social network?
2011 Data Security and Privacy Toolkit [PDF]. NAR’s toolkit aims to educate real estate associations, brokers, agents, and multiple listing services about the need for data security and privacy; and to assist them in complying with legal responsibilities.
Google+ Brand Pages Are the "Wild West"—for Now, (Mashable, Nov. 8, 2011) First, the good news for marketers about Google+: It's incredibly easy to set up a brand page there. Now, the bad news: It's incredibly easy to set up a brand page there.
These steps will protect your privacy while using Facebook and Twitter, (TNW, Sept. 28, 2011)—How apps gather your information.
How to boost your privacy on LinkedIn, (Los Angeles Times, Aug. 14, 2011).
21 Google+ Privacy Tips: The Ultimate Guide, (The Huffington Post, July 21, 2011)—Written before the addition of business pages, but the tips still hold true.
How to protect your privacy on Facebook and Twitter, (PC World, Nov. 2, 2009)—Don't overshare, watch out for hijacking, beware viruses masquerading as quizzes, remember friends of friends.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
30 Days to Social Media Success (Adobe eReader)
42 Rules of Social Media for Small Business (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
42 Rules for 24-Hour Success on LinkedIn (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
Auditing Social Media: A Governance and Risk Guide (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Facebook® (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
I'm on Facebook—Now What??? (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
I'm on LinkedIn—Now What??? (Adobe eReader)
LinkedIn for Dummies® (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
Manager's Guide to Social Media (Adobe eReader)
Social Media Marketing (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
The Truth About Facebook—How to Use Facebook for Marketing and Advertising, and Much More—The Facts You Should Know (Adobe eReader)
Twitter for Dummies (Adobe eReader)
New titles are being added all the time. Do your own search in the eBook Collection. Try 'social media' as a term in the 'search eBook Collection' box.
Field Guides & More
These field guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Facebook for REALTORS®
Field Guide to Social Networking for REALTORS®
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The inclusion of links on this field guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this field guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.