Friday, July 9, 2010

PleaseRobMe website highlights information security threat

The PleaseRobMe website has been launched detailing the whereabouts of social network users, highlighting the fact they are not in their homes.

PleaseRobMe.com was created by Dutch developers who say their website is intended to raise awareness, not to promote burglary.

Co-creator, Boy Von Amstel, told the BBC; "The website [PleaseRobMe] is not a tool for burglary. The point we're getting at is that not long ago it was questionable to share your full name on the internet. We've gone past that point by 1000 miles."

The website uses a compilation of feeds from social networking sites such as, Twitter and Foursquare to update their page labeled; ‘Recent Empty Homes’. A statement on the PleaseRobMe website said; “The danger is publicly telling people where you are. This is because it leaves one place you're definitely not... home. So here we are; on one end we're leaving lights on when we're going on a holiday, and on the other we're telling everybody on the internet we're not home.”

Charity organisation, Crimestoppers, has urged people to think carefully before revealing information on the internet, a spokesperson told the BBC; "We urge users of Twitter, Facebook or other social networks to stop and think before posting personal details online that could leave them vulnerable to crimes including burglary and identity theft."

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