Security questions and social media

[Ardbeg... innit]

Heard an interesting point on the radio this afternoon. It deals with those security questions that are asked of you at certain web sites (like your bank's web site). You know the questions.. "What is the name of your favorite pet?" "What is you mother maiden name?" What was the name of your high school mascot?"... etc.

Here is the point.. how many of your security questions could be answered directly or indirectly from information on your Facebook page (or other social media), if someone wanted to hack into your secure websites?

[Chicago Jake]

It's the age of the open kimono. You want secrets? Fuggedaboudit.

[Ardbeg... innit]

Its not about secrets Jake, its a warning that a lot of people put out in plain view the answers to the questions that they use to protect the security of their website accounts.

[Chicago Jake]

I think the difference is one of degree only. None of those type of answers were ever considered "secrets." And any competent PI could have found them all out anyway. Nowadays, the info can be found with less effort through social media.

In a way, it's a good thing: it is highlighting a security hole that was there all along. Like those benign hackers that break into a website, then claim, "we did you a favor by showing you your vulnerabilities."

[Merlot Joe]

I don't do facebook so I don't have to worry about it.