FightCyberstalking.org - Privacy Settings and Safety Tips for Socializing on MySpace

 

MySpace is a social networking site that is popular among teenage children and the 20-something crowd. MySpace features bulletins, groups, MySpaceIM (Instant Messenger), MySpace video, applications, MySpace mobile, MySpace news, MySpace karaoke, MySpace polls, classifieds, and forums.

By creating a MySpace profile, cyberstalking victims should note that their first and last name will be revealed to the general public because they're using their first and last name on the site; however, there are settings that are available on MySpace that will keep users' profile information private. In this article we will share a few privacy settings that cyberstalking victims can use within MySpace so that they're getting the maximum privacy.

• Joining MySpace: Editing Your Basic Profile
• Editing General Privacy Settings
• Editing Application Settings
• Disallow Showing Your Full Name Wherever Your Name & Photo Appear On MySpace
• Editing Your Full Profile
• Customizing Your Profile Page: Profile Privacy Settings
   

 

Joining MySpace: Editing Your Basic Profile

When uploading your profile photo, make sure you don't add photos with indentifying landmarks. Examples of indentifying landmarks are your workplace, school you attend, your house number, etc.

It is entirely up to you if you would like to enter the schools you attended in the past and the current school you're attending now. It is highly advisable if you're currently being cyberstalked that you opt out of adding this information if you're going to make your entire MySpace profile public.

If you don't feel comfortable entering your real location, enter a different location. Just remember you can always block a person and report them to MySpace.

 

Editing General Privacy Settings

After you have signed up for a MySpace account and filled out your basic profile information, you should edit the privacy settings right away. To edit your privacy settings, login to your account and click on "Profile" and scroll down and click on the "My Privacy" link.

 

Now you should be on the Profile 2.0 Privacy/General Privacy page.

Edit the following:

• Online Now
• Birthday
• Comments
• Friends
• Photos
• Stream
• Block Users By Age

 

You may want to opt out of sharing your birthdate with the general public -- this entirely up to you.

 

 

Editing Application Settings

To edit your application settings, click on "Profile" and scroll down and click on the "My Privacy" link. Click on the "Change settings for Apps and third-parties in Application Settings" link.

 

On the application settings page, you'll want to block all apps and third-party services. Most of MySpace applications are created from third-party services, and because of that reason alone, you don't fully know what information these third-party services are collecting from you. 

Disallow Showing Your Full Name Wherever Your Name & Photo Appear On MySpace

Go to the "My Profile" link and scroll down and click on the "My Privacy" link.

Now click on the "Contact Info" link.

 

On the contact info page, uncheck the "Show my full name where my name and photo appear on MySpace." By default, this setting is already checked, so make sure if you don't want that info to show that you uncheck it.

 

 

Editing Your Full Profile

To edit your full profile, go to the "My Profile" link and scroll down and click on the "Edit Profile" link.

Share what information you feel comfortable sharing.

 

MySpace tends to be not so user-friendly in terms that settings are jumbled everywhere. Don't be intimated with the site and locating all the privacy settings. If you want to test out how your information will be displayed on your public profile, you can simply add the words "test" in all the personalization fields and then come back and change it later.

 

Customizing Your Profile Page: Profile Privacy Settings

 

 

 

Finally, logout of MySpace and go to your profile URL to view how your profile looks like to the general public.

 

MySpace Safety Tips

To socialize and navigate on the MySpace community safely, you'll want to:

• Avoid clicking on redirect links from users you don't trust. Usually redirect links are from spammers who will attempt to redirect you to a virus! Make sure you only click on links from users you know and trust.
• Be extremely cautious when it comes to revealing any personal information publically, such as your email address, phone number, home address, and your work address.
• Change your MySpace password often and don't use the same password on any other websites.
• As an extra precaution, you can use RoboForm to login, store, and create passwords securely for you.
• Always make sure you're visiting the real myspace.com. Check the URL in your browser & make sure it begins with http://www.myspace.com.

 

 

 

See Additional Online Safety Tips

Online Safety Tips