NetApp
TECHIE TRUST
Brits trust the internet more than friends and colleagues when it comes to handing over personal information, it emerged yesterday (Mon).
Researchers have found that while the average adult freely divulges a string of personal details on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, most would not give friends or colleagues their PIN number.
One in twenty people have their home address visible on social networking sites yet 86 per cent would not hand over their PIN to someone they know.
And while only five per cent of people would let their best mate have access to their PIN number, 50 per cent of respondents have their relationship status visible online according to the study by data storage specialists NetApp.
Three in ten also have their partner's name visible and 20 per cent have the name of their employer visible online according to the poll of 3000 Brits.
Nearly two thirds of people also have their date of birth on networking sites which is always a security question when telephoning banks or building societies.
Paul Wooding, head of UK Public Sector for NetApp, said: ''It's ironic that so many people are cautious with friends and family when it comes to security details, yet include really personal data on social networking sites.
''It's really alarming that people have so much confidential information like a home address available on their Facebook profile.
''As soon as you update your profile saying you are off on holiday all your hundreds of friends and now potentially anyone searching on Google, will know your home is empty for the next few weeks.''
The poll also revealed that a blasé seven per cent of people said that the whole point of social networking sites was so people can keep track of you and know what you’re up to.
Although a quarter of people did admit that the amount of information they had freely available on the World Wide Web did sometimes worry them.
But when it comes to our nearest and dearest it's a different story, with less than half of people trusting their partner with their PIN number for their main cash card.
But it's not just our friends who we don't trust - three quarters of people said they do not trust the government with their personal data.
More than two thirds also said that they feel that the government acts like Big Brother, and knows far too much about them.
For more than half of Brits (52 per cent) the biggest bone of contention is the government having access to our medical details.
A spokesman for NetApp added: ''People need to look after themselves and really think about the information they make visible.
''Technology today means that organisations are well equipped to be able to store and manage data effectively.
''The fear is perhaps heightened because of high profile cases of data breaches but in reality many of us are sharing very personal and sometimes sensitive information with the whole world without giving it much thought.''
