In this day and age, in order to get the best out of the integration and connectivity of our laptop and mobile gadgets like cellphone and tablets, we opt to use one account to be used on all our gadgets. This facilitates easy access to our data stored in these accounts.
An example of this is our personal google accounts. We have our google account signed in on our phones, and on our laptops. In turn, things we do on our accounts will reflect on our laptop and mobile phones.
To get the most of these applications and platforms we share personal data, like our names, our age and birthdays, gender and photos.
However, we give much more information than that. We give our search history, thereby giving the things we are interested in. This gives google, for example, an idea of what we are looking for.
This is more concretely exemplified by our YouTube and Netflix searches and videos watched. By knowing what we like, these platforms can recommend according to our tastes. This is called personalization. Our recommendations are personalized specifically to us. This is nice because we can easily see videos that we are more likely to watch. This saves us the time searching aimlessly.
My question for you today is, how much information about you are you willing to give in order for personalized service? How much are you willing to give for convenience?
There is no problem if these data are stored securely and no one tries to use these information for nefarious means. In this case, there is no drawback, only convenience. However, this is not the reality.
These data maybe vulnerable to threat actors who intends to get a hold of your data. Let’s be mindful that these data mingles with more sensitive data like our credit cards. The actual use for these data hacked are varied. Some accounts can be sold in the black market. The information gathered about you can be used to piece together a password. These information can be used for identity fraud. Some can be benign, like used only for marketing purposes.
We are not questioning the security of these application and platform in protecting our data, however, the threat of hacking and data misuse are always present no matter how strong the security.
The actual ultimate security, in order for data to not be hacked is not to give it in the first place. But, again as specified awhile ago, the giving of these data ensures and facilitates convenience and personalization. In short, it makes life easier.
So, now that you are aware of these circumstances, how much are you willing to risk for convenience?
As a closing, I want to impart the importance of the responsibility of each account holder and user of these applications and platforms which we give our information to, over their accounts.
It is up to you, the user, how much you are willing to give. Always be responsible in giving your information online.
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