The Danger of Posting Photos on the Internet

BY: ARNEL S. OROCEO

Since the rise to fame of internet community websites like Friendster, Multiply and Face Book, people have begun to put up photo albums on the internet. It has been a great tool for friends and relatives to connect with each other after a long time of separation. They can update each other about what have been going on in their lives even though they are thousand of miles apart.

Even those who engage in the alternative media like blogging, flaunt their personal photos on their sites. It is a way of sharing the fun that they have had with friends and a way of keeping the memories alive.

However, there are underlying risks that are worth the thought. Here are some of those:

If you post a photo that is, open to public view:

· Someone out there can grab your photo and steal your identity, which he/she can use in illegal internet activities like unauthorized fund raising or fake lottery. There are several reports about people who have received emails from certain people who are asking for assistance about some “inheritance” that they keep in certain banks abroad. They would promise you a large amount of money in return for your assistance. Then they will ask you some personal information like bank account numbers, home address, driver’s license number or a copy of your passport. They will do it in such a way that it would look legit by sending you emails from supposedly law firms. They will even send you photos of themselves. When they feel that they have convinced you, they will ask for money. They have different stories. Some would say that they are US soldiers in Iraq and they have dug up some money or gold perhaps and they need your help to get it out into a safe place in exchange for a good percentage share but all they need is your money. However, you know that they are not giving you their identities truthfully. It is easy for them to assume the identity of others to hide themselves from the law. Be aware!

· Someone out there can grab your photo, steal your identity, and re-post your photos in other websites you never visit like homosexual sites or adult sites. Most of the victims of this kind of fraud are celebrities or showbiz personalities although most of them simply ignore these improper internet activities. This may not cause immediate personal harm but such act violates the privacy law.

· Someone may use your photo and steal your identity, which he/she could use in chat rooms or forums. Chatters may have experienced this occasionally in chat rooms. They think they are chatting with their friends not knowing that somebody else has already stolen their friends’ usernames and identities. You may be exposing yourself to hackers without knowing it.

· Someone may grab your photo and apply soft wares like Photoshop to alter the image and make it look the way it is not. Some people do this for sheer fun and there is nothing wrong about it especially if it is personal in nature. However, people with expert knowledge in photo altering software can use their expertise in dangerous activities. Do not be a victim!

If you cannot avoid posting pictures on the internet, it is important that you choose your photos carefully. Make sure you do not post photos with careless poses.

A P E R S O N A L P O R T F O L I O W E B S I T E

The Danger of Posting Photos on the Internet