Don’t Believe Everything You Read Online

In the last couple of days, we may or may not have seen the status posts about Facebook, its privacy notice and all that. Here is that status message.

“Now it’s official! It has been published in the media. Facebook has just released the entry price: £5.99 ($9.10) to keep the subscription of your status to be set to “private.” If you paste this message on your page, it will be offered free (I said paste not share) if not tomorrow, all your posts can become public. Even the messages that have been deleted or the photos not allowed. After all, it does not cost anything for a simple copy and paste.”

Or this one

“As of September 28th , 2015 at 10:50p.m. Eastern standard time, I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past and future. By this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates.”

If Facebook were to start charging for its services or if an update were to arise, they would post an official message right on top of the News Feed and they would send you an official e-mail from Facebook stating the changes made to the account settings/privacy. This is definitely a hoax and you can tell the way it has been written. Not very professionally might I add, and Facebook will not post like that.

It is somebody that has way too much time on their hands, and wanting to start trouble. People really need to do more productive, inspiring and thoughtful things on the internet, instead of playing around and doing ridiculous things. People need to think about what they post and do online. It is very important to stop doing these things. It is absolutely ridiculous. I just want to tell you that, do not believe everything you see and read on the internet. Don’t fall for the trends. If you have posted these messages on your statuses, please remove them immediately, and share amongst your family, friends, co-workers, classmates as well and if they have posted it as well. Please tell them to remove.

This also goes for any suspicious e-mails that go to your inbox or Junk mail. If you are unsure of an e-mail, please contact me, do a screen shot of it or delete it right away. Also, do not get tricked in sending an e-mail where it asks you for your name, birth date, account information, and all that. It is fraudulent and can lead to identity theft, viruses and much more and can result in an unfortunate hassle, which can lead to a headache of draining your bank account, and your name and existence.

The internet is a fun and wonderful place full of information and research on your favourite actor, actress, movies, facts, recipes, watching videos, social media and e-mail which you can connect, communicate with your loved ones, co-workers, and make new friends. Ultimately, it is how you utilize the internet that makes it all the fun and awesome.

Just because everybody is concentrating and involved in a trend online, it doesn’t mean that you have to do the same. Don’t fall for it. It is common sense. Be careful. Prevention is key to a safe, fun, and educational environment.

So, think about it.

Have you been tricked online before?

What advice do you have for issues like this?

Would like to hear from you.