Many people enjoy filling out quizzes on Facebook, sharing stories on SnapChat, pictures on Instagram, and putting things you can never take back on YouTube. It’s a fun way to learn more about your friends and family, and for others to learn more about you. However, more people may be learning things about you that could compromise your identity. In this month’s training, we will focus mainly on website surveys.Have you created any online accounts for banking, credit cards, phone applications, or online shopping?
More than likely the answer to that question is: YES!

For account set up, you’re usually asked to create personal security questions. They run the gambit of what is your high school mascot, first name of your oldest cousin, make or model of your first car, last name of your favorite author, or even a place where you want to go on a dream vacation.

Originally, these electronic surveys were in the form of email chain letters, then infiltrated social websites such as MySpace. Now they’re everywhere. They can be something as simple as how well do you know your siblings, friends, parents, etc.

Maybe You Remeber Something Like This:

CAN YOU FILL THIS OUT WITHOUT LYING?
1. What was the last food you ate? Maple donut
2. Do you sleep with socks on? No
3. Worst physical pain you’ve ever had? Broken clavicle
4. Favorite place you have ever been? The beach
5. How late did you stay up last night? 11:30 waiting for our heat to be fixed
6. If you could move somewhere else, where would it be? Not sure… I like staying near family.
7. What is your favorite sport? Don’t have one
8. When was the last time you cried? A few days
9. Who took your profile pic? Katie
10. Two of your favorite movies? Purple People Eater and Hocus Pocus
11. What’s your favorite season? Spring
12. If you could have any career what would it be? Something with investigation
13. What was the last book you read? It’s been a while… I am not sure lol
14. If you could talk to ANYONE right now who would be? Pap-Pap
15. Are you a good influence on other people? Perhaps a decent enough one
16. Does pineapple belong on a pizza? If people want it there
17. You have the remote, what show is on? The ID Channel or Superstore, The Connors, The Good Place, This Is Us, The Masked Singer (my fall shows)
18. Three people who you think will do this?
19. What’s the last concert you went to? TLC and Nelly
20. Favorite food? Salad
*these are not my answers* 

Which one of those silly questions has an answer that could be used to answer your account security questions?

TRICK QUESTION! ALL those answers could be used to answer your security questions in an attempt to steal your identity. Whether the answers are identical to your security questions or they just share a little bit of information about you, ALL of your responses can be useful in the wrong hands!

Thee type of applications on social media that link to your social media account and ask such questions as “Which type of French Fry are you?” or “What is your spirit animal?” all require you to grant access to your account in order to take the “fun” quiz. Your acceptance grants access to data miners that not only can access your data but your friend’s and family’s connected data as well.
While not all quizzes are dangerous, the Better Business Bureau advises to follow these tips to help protect yourself:

Tips to Avoid Social Media Scams:

1. Be skeptical: Before you take a quiz, figure out who created
it. Is it a brand you trust?
2. Adjust privacy settings: Review your social media account’s privacy settings and be strict about what information you share.
3. Remove personal details from your profile: Don’t share information like your phone number or home address on social media accounts.
4. Don’t give answer to common security questions: Be cautious if the questions in a quiz ask for things like your mother’s maiden name,
street you grew up on, or name of your high school.
5. Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know.

Be safe, have fun, and enjoy your social media but always remember: When in doubt, don’t do it!

If you have any questions, please contact TAD PGS Security at [email protected] or call us at 941-746-4833.