Social networks: 'Hit all once' - attackers' perspective
Swanand Dattaram Shinde Quick Heal
Social networking sites have created distinct ways in which to communicate and share information, which have made them
an enduring part of the every-day life of millions of users worldwide. They are extremely popular amongst a wide range of
users of cyber space, and most users draw little distinction between their real life and online life. People have
started using social networking sites as a platform to create, maintain and grow their private and business networks, to
search for their lost ones, to share their emotions and thoughts etc., hence they have become extremely popular on
the web. Social networking site models are based on the traditional social networking ideology of mankind, so their pros
and cons always keep them in the limelight. This is the time to think seriously: 'Are they becoming a bad guys' paradise?'.
Social networking sites are attractive to bad guys not only because of potential security holes in them, but because the
nature of the sites themselves works as a way to affect more people. This paper demonstrates all of the risks in using
social networking sites and various other techno-social issues. It also explains in detail with real-world case studies
about mass phishing and spamming attacks, cyber stalking and cyber bullying using social networking sites. The paper
gives a crystal clear idea about the changing threat landscape and explores the attackers' motive: 'Hit all once'.
Identity is the major concern while surfing on web, but case studies of many of the social networking sites surprisingly
highlight that they are prone to organized crimes. Poorly organized and less well secured social networking sites are
increasing in number. Using analysis of real-world cases, this paper uncovers many of the emerging cyber security issues
surrounding the use of social networking sites - such as cyber terrorism, violation of copyright laws by sharing video
and audio, supporting activities for the illegal drug trade, sharing of pornographic material, financial e-frauds, child pornography
etc. The paper explains the six degrees of separation phenomenon to make us realize that bad guys are never far from us.
This emerging techno-social threat to cyber security doesn't have a concrete pure technical solution. The paper sums up
with an effective action plan for each category of cyber user to be protected on a social network and to make it more
secure.
