Recent blog posts

How much do data breaches cost? More than you think

According to Symantec, data spills cost US companies nearly $200 per record lost -- a good reason why organizations need to do a better …
How to tell the NSA to go &*$! itself

Want to get the spooks off your tail? You'll have to ditch your digital footprint and start over. Here's a quick primer on how …
Facebook: Goodbye sponsored stories, hello hashtags

While the rest of us were obsessing over the NSA and domestic spying, Facebook was busy introducing a major feature while killing another.
Edward Snowden's girlfriend is now the world's most famous pole dancer

What happens when your boyfriend rats out the NSA? You become Internet famous, whether you want to be or not. Good luck getting your …
What’s wrong with the NSA’s womb-to-tomb 24/7 surveillance

The spooks can see everything we do, hear everything we say, see everywhere we go. You got a problem with that? If not, you should.
Why is the NSA spying on us?

Secretly collecting call data on millions of Americans won't do much to stop terror. So what is this data really being used for?
Enliken wants your shopping data -- and is willing to pay you for it

Enliken's Web loyalty program could make it worth your while to hand your personal information to retailers.
A better way to pay for 'free' content

Tired of ad companies tracking you? Hate paying for news you're used to getting for free? Just answer a few simple questions and all …
Google Glass fans need a reality check (and the Internet needs seat belts)

Being in public doesn't mean you give up all rights to your personal privacy -- no matter how cool that techno gadget might be.
Twitter puts all its chips on lead generation

Twitter advertisers are now dealing out discounts in exchange for your email address. AreTwitter Cards a safe bet? Read this first before …

Security is dead. Now what do we do?

Let's face it, sooner or later you too will be hacked. Better start planning for that now. The first step: Separate your real world and online identities.

By Dan Tynan

Got a question about social media? TY4NS blogger Dan Tynan may have the answer (and if not, he’ll make something up). Visit his snarky, occasionally NSFW blog eSarcasm or follow him on Twitter: @tynanwrites. For the latest IT news, analysis and how-to’s, follow ITworld onTwitter and Facebook.

Now read this:

The new MySpace: I like it, I really do. What's wrong with me?

What's the freakin' deal with all these LinkedIn endorsements?

Mickey Mouse knows what you did last summer

Follow Dan on Google+

Author Dan Tynan has been writing about Internet privacy for the last 3,247 years. He wrote a book on the topic for O'Reilly Media (Computer Privacy Annoyances, now available for only $15.56 at Amazon -- order yours today) and edited a series of articles on Net privacy for PC World that were finalists for a National Magazine Award. During his spare time he is part of the dynamic duo behind eSarcasm, the not-yet-award-winning geek humor site he tends along with JR Raphael.