Site offers directory of 100 million Facebook users (with personal information)

[onehandle]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

A Canadian computer sleuth says he created a downloadable directory with personal information about 100 million Facebook users who have failed to tighten their security settings in light of Facebook's recent policy changes.

It wasn't hacking - the giant social-networking site considers the information public - but some users may be appalled at the result: Ron Bowes says they are all now part of a directory full of personal information such as their birth dates, phone numbers and addresses.

snip...

You can also read what Bowes himself has to say on his Skull Security website. Bowes, who hardly considers himself a hacker, describes the process and his motivation in a post, Return of the Facebook Snatchers, where he offers the torrent as a download.

Though Bowes says it would be hard for others to use, the directory sounds like a treasure-trove both for marketers and identity thieves. But says he hopes it will be a broader wake-up call about threats to privacy on the Web.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/consumer/Report_Directory_.html

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Thanks for the info. Now...I have to figure out if I have updated

my security, or updated it enough. This creeps me out and I am not even sure how to avoid this, besides not joining FB. But the only reason I am there at all is my nieces and great-nieces, who do not post photos anywhere else, and don't email anymore.

Why didn't this article tell me steps to take to protect myself from him?

[xultar]

2. DONT FREAK...it was all info that was already public on FB

[onehandle]

3. All harvested and placed into a gift wrapped package for scammers.

Facebook holds zero information on me.

I will not be freaking.

[bemildred]

4. Lie, reinvent yourself, be thorough, that's what facebook is for. nt

[customerserviceguy]

5. Never put anything on Facebook

that you wouldn't put on a billboard over your house.