DATA STEALING ON THE NET

Social Media is going through major challenges with respect to data theft. Facebook and Google have been victims to massive datd harvesting by dubious companies , individuals and groups. Oxford Analytical devised a quiz to steal personal information of participants on Facebook. The harvested data was sold out. For targetted advertisements. And to influence last major US Elections in 2016. Many a time data obtained clandestinely on the Net is used for fraud , unauthorized cash withdrawals with Credit Cards details. And invasion of privacy of victims. Few weeks ago Google reported unsual activities against its Google plus platform. Hackers had stolen millions of email details and passwords of clients. Google plus is shut down in affected regions. Social Media Giants Yahoo , Facebook and Google are even suspected of bowing to US pressure to censor activities on their media. Trump administration is reported to have asked Facebook to give them data on perceived enemies of Trump. Let us hope reportage is fake or they are denied their demand. Sometimes pages appear on Social Media , conducting a survey or creating a petition for apparent just cause. One is encouraged to take part. Emails are readily demanded and not often postal codes and house addresses are required to enter the project. Such activities are designed sometimes to steal personal data. One may also be enticed to share and Like unsolicited posts , videos and photos on Social Media. These could be designed for Identity Theft , and to influence advertising revenues of something associated with the shared or Liked media. The Internet is becoming very fertile ground for all sorts of immoral , dirty and criminal activities. Fake drugs , art works and bogus tour packages and merchandize are sold freely to unspecting users of Social Media by criminals.