Bloggers Beware!

We protect our children while they are online, but are we protecting ourselves? A few weeks ago I was contacted by a follower, and she informed me she wasn't able to access my blog. She had received a message there was malware installed on my blog that could damage her computer.

Because of her kindness to notify me immediately of the issue, I was able to figure out the problem and rectify the situation. Thanks, also, to Google's wonderful diagnostics it only took me 10-15 minutes to clear my blog of any unwanted intruders. So, who or what was the culprit?  Me and blogrolling(dot)com!

In my ignorance and excitement in wanting a widget to display all the blogs I follow I opened my blog up to infection.  If you have this widget you might want to consider removing it.  I never installed the widget, but I had registered with them.  After I unregistered there have been no further problem.

I have also noticed these new "tagging" games being passed around.  They are fun because you get to know other bloggers better.  As long as you are careful about what kind and how much information you are giving out they should not be an issue.  But, I noticed on one blog this tagging game, "The Writing Is On The Wall."

The instructions are to take a photo and post it after writing the following:

1. Write name and blog
2. Right handed/left handed
3. Write 6 favorite letters
4. Write "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"
5. Write the following words in capital letters: BABBON, SPLENDOR, ONOMATOPOEIA, FLIP-FLOPS, HUZZAH
6. Write your favorite song lyrics

Does anyone else see what's wrong with this one?

Every letter of the alphabet is represented in this "game".  Not only are you supplying "someone" with your handwriting, but you are opening the door for identity theft.  More companies than ever are doing business online, and they send you forms that only require a signature.  By playing this "tagging game" you are supplying the means for someone to hurt you.

We all know there are people in the blogosphere whose only aim is to take from others.  They survive on stealing and destroying in ways we could never dream might happen to us.  We are responsible for the content we share, and the protection of our blogs.  If you see a possible threat to another blogger don't be afraid to be an alarmist, let them know immediately.
Be diligent, and remember always ~ Safety First.