Users of social networks should use fake names and dates of birth online to protect themselves from identity theft.
This is the stark warning from a senior UK cabinet official who said that using false details on social networks was “a very sensible thing to do.”
Speaking at the Parliament and Internet Conference last week, Andy Smith, who is a security manager in the Cabinet Office, claimed that users should be wary of handing over genuine details as they can be used against you by criminals.
He gave a stark warning that real combinations of data, including birth dates, are often used by banks to verify your identity.
He said that criminals take this data from Google, social networks, email footers and bring the information together to cross-correlate it and build up a detailed picture of your identity.
However, Mr Smith also stressed the importance of using genuine details on official websites such as government portals for filing your tax returns.
The warning has been seized on by shadow culture minister Helen Goodman as “totally outrageous”.
Speaking to BBC News she said: “[This] is exactly what we don’t want. We want more security online. It’s anonymity which facilitates cyber-bullying, the abuse of children.
“I was genuinely shocked that a public official could say such a thing.”
Culture minister Ed Vaizey, meanwhile, suggested that the best course of action to avoid identity fraud was to work with companies like Facebook to ensure that people can feel secure using their websites.
The UK government’s Get Safe Online campaign has some simple steps to keep your identity safe:
- Do not share account information with friends, family or other people.
- Ensure you always have effective and updated antivirus/antispyware software running.
- If possible, arrange for paperless bills and statements.
- File sensitive documents securely, and shred those you no longer need – preferably with a cross-cut shredder.
- Never divulge private information data in response to an email, text, letter or phone call unless you are certain that the request is from a bona fide source.
- Always beware of people looking over your shoulder when you are entering private information on a computer, smartphone/tablet or ATM.