Chapter 10: Software and Information Security

Title: Social networks, another hotbed for security and privacy breaches

Author(s): Mhamed Zineddine, Huda Kindi

Address: Management Information Systems Department, ALHOSN University, P.O. Box 38772, Delma Street, Abu Dhabi | Management Information Systems Department, ALHOSN University, P.O. Box 38772, Delma Street, Abu Dhabi

Reference: Software, Knowledge, Information Management and Applications (SKIMA 2013) pp. 484 - 497

Abstract/Summary: Online social networks (SNs) offer a new platform to connect and (re)establish relationships with new and existing friends. However, many security and privacy issues and concerns emerge from the use of such networks. In our study, we present findings from a survey of 126 users of different social sites. Our results reveal that the majority of users from the sample are disclosing a substantial amount of electronic private identifying information. Contrary to their own belief, participants lack security and privacy awareness and are neither familiar with the content of the policies and terms of use in these networks, nor with the existing security and privacy mechanisms to minimize the security and privacy risks. SNs’ users have to be educated to raise their awareness on the security and privacy issues in the cyber space, especially, on SNs.

Order a copy of this article