Privacy Settings in Google + : What you should know

Help out the ignorant, Dr - What's Google+?

Facebook for Googleheads.

I will look over the linked article in more detail tonight.  Thanks for the link.

Daiwa - Google+ is a project to allow information dissemination in a safer atmosphere than facebook. Per Google:

http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/

You create "circles" of friends and acquaintances with whom you can 'share' different things - photos, announcements, etc.

"You share different things with different people. But sharing the right stuff with the right people shouldn’t be a hassle. Circles makes it easy to put your friends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another, and your boss in a circle by himself, just like real life."

Sparks -

"Remember when your Grandpa used to cut articles out of the paper and send them to you? That was nice. That’s kind of what Sparks does: looks for videos and articles it thinks you’ll like, so when you’re free, there’s always something to watch, read, and share. Grandpa would approve."

and Hangouts -

"Bumping into friends while you’re out and about is one of the best parts of going out and about. With Hangouts, the unplanned meet-up comes to the web for the first time. Let buddies know you’re hanging out and see who drops by for a face-to-face-to-face chat. Until we perfect teleportation, it’s the next best thing"

PCWorld: http://www.pcworld.com/article/231368/google_social_network_handson_first_impressions.html

Just got my invite today, will definitely look thru that link. Thanks.

Since Goggle has such a great reputation, will this also be a site that you will have to worry what happens to your information?

My guess is yes.

The more I read that "don't be evil" motto the more often I remember "the lady doth protest too much, methinks." Hamlet is some freakin' kitchen sink of literature. And trust is in very short supply in that story...

2 find this again some day

Google is just struggling for supremacy against Facebook.....

2 corporate megaliths trying to be on top of the pile.

And crush it in the process.

Indeed. Act III scene II.

in short

Don't trust them with your info

Trust them (and friends/acquaintances/others) with only the info you feel comfortable with.

Scams to anticipate? An increase in email scams (phishing) representing themselves as an invitation to Google+ or to those participating with Google+. Make sure to mouse over any links. anything that looks suspicious, make sure to report to Google and your ISP. Also make sure to pay attention to grammar and spelling. They are frequent "tells". Graphics are not: The phishers are quite good at using/stealing the original graphics and using them.

Addendum: In order to be more helpful, I'm adding a "How to Identify Phishing" to this post.

The Windows Club has done some very nice work in providing an article on this topic for the general public:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-identify-phishing-attacks

I can understand why people are so skeptical but what confuses me is that they already have info online (otherwise they wouldn't even be able to comment on here) so why is everyone so terrified of, say, google anyways. What? Is everyone here on Stardock's multiple forums liars and simply made up fake accounts to post random stuff on here? I used my own email to sign up here.

I don't give any site any more info than I need to but that doesn't stop me from using the sites. DrJBHL has had to give up his info in order for him to bring us all of this wonderful information he post here daily. He doesn't seem worried. Is it genuine fear of people stealing your info or is it their own ignorance that scares most people? Not trying to intentionally insult anyone but I believe it's a legit question.

Not directed to anyone as a reply:

Please note Update 1 in the OP.

Separate response for CharlesCS:

First, thanks for your kind response. I have joined many sites to get mailings and guides to help as many folks as I can because of a sign which made a big impression on me a long time ago: "Knowledge Prevents Fear". It was on the entrance to the Israeli Army's Jump School. Oddly, it wasn't 100% successful. Something about standing #1 in my 'stick' at the open door, I think.

I believe people are afraid of the unknown. In the above case, it was fear of the known - gravity. Folks are afraid of becoming targets for unscrupulous people who intend to harm them. I don't blame them one little bit. I believe they are also uncertain about how some info revealed in various places might be put together to deduce password questions, etc.

For instance, I reveal the name of a pet. One of the "Security Questions" if you forget your password on some sites is "Your Pet's name"... etc.

So I try to bring people free software to guard their passwords, and update them about problems with common password keeping apps, and scams that might compromise that security.

Back to your question, "Is it genuine fear of people stealing your info or is it their own ignorance that scares most people?":

I believe it's probably both, with a nice little feedback loop between them. Nothing "bad" about being ignorant. The Internet has almost infinite resources to educate folks (one way or another, doc adds cynically). That answer it?

Thanks for all your info Doc. Your the Best.           

Charles has a good question and Doc has a good answer.  But the fly in the ointment is still privacy.  For those who have posted here, it is less of a concern (although still a concern) as they have been taught or learned tricks to protect things.

But the student, the mother on email, or the ditzy sister have not, do not and will not.  They will join or be asked to join by a friend/relative, and their life will be an open book to ID thieves or worse.

All we can do is educate them.  But too many will not have mentors who caution them against revealing too much.  The genie is out of the bottle.

I can attest to this. My greatest fear is the ocean. It's what I can't see underwater that scares me enough to keep me away from the ocean. I rarely go to the beach because I have seen how close things like jellyfish, stingrays and sharks can get and even in shallow waters they are hard to see. I also have a genuine fear of the Internet but the way i see it I already dove into this danger the day I registered on my first site online. Since then I have so many logins in my lastpass account I was actually going thru them wondering why I had some of them, which at that point I went ahead and canceled the accounts. It's not the fear that makes me wonder about the people that comment here, it's the whole "google is evil, beware" and "I would never  trust (whatever" site" comments that make me wonder because in order for them to have posted such comments, they had to already put their info out there to do so. Again, unless these people made up fake accounts that is.

I can agree with this. I just wish people would look at themselves and realize that they don't practice what they preach. To treat google (for example) like some kind of anti-christ all while registering on this site to say it kinda sounds ignorant to me (not saying joeuser.com will give out your info). Of course ignorance is not always bad as no one is born with knowledge, but ignorance by choice is and although my opinion may bring some negative replies, I would rather be honest than sugar coat things and add to the ignorance which in turn will only be more harmful to our security.

You mean try. I can't count the times people ignore my geek knowledge knowing I can save them a ton of headaches when it comes to their electronics. But some people would rather feel the pain first and then do something about it. Go figure.

That would be true if all sites were equally secure. In reality, they are not. That was part of my point in my post about why listening to IT professionals would be a smart thing for companies to do instead of relying on disclaimers.

Not trying to sound flippant, CharlesCS: Why not wear a mask which would allow you to enjoy the ocean which is much easier and safer "to dive into". Just as you take precautions on the Internet, precautions can be taken when going to the beach... For instance, the probability of sunburn vs. sharks and jellyfish and using sunscreen.

Not making fun of your fears. I'd never do that. Just suggesting a solution which might make more enjoyable options for you, my friend.

Sure!  Everyone should see what is eating them.

Depending on where you're at. Since you lived in the area, I feel sure you've been to the beach in South Carolina. Mask or not, you won't see more than a foot in front of you. Why do you think it took so long to find the Hunley? 

Now if you're talking about the Florida Keys...there's nothing I love more than spending the day diving in the Keys but you will hardly catch me in the ocean around where I live. Call me paranoid but I prefer to know if I'm going to be a tasty treat.

Nah. Just phobic. Actually, you're right in the critical respect - vision assuages the illusion of control. 

Ummm... 'cos the folks looking were from SC? lol.... j/k, CG1. Yep, the water is quite silty - I was disappointed when living there. And yes, FL beats the heck out of it.

Stardock's customers/site members' details/information is confidential. No-one's email address [for example] is communicated to anyone without their consent.

Privacy Legislation requires me, for example to be at a somewhat unique User Level to prevent my access to Users' banking details [because I am outside the US], yet other info is accessible as site Administrator.

Obviously, commercial practice requires legitimate email accounts, etc for the handling of product sales, but the majority of User names, etc. are pretty obviously fabricated....;)

Apart from here [obviously], I have online info/accounts with the likes of Amazon.US and Amazon.UK and likewise see the logic and benefits of such.

I cannot, however see how letting a Search Engine intent on marketting my 'Interests' to all and sundry can be a plus - to me.  It's sole benefit is to be a 'plus' to Google AND their Advertising customers.

Google+ Invitations Likely Spam

I am sure the same people will get caught out with this...