Facebook vs. ChoralNet

Date: February 14, 2011

Views: 2531

This whole blog may sound self-serving. Hope not, but there you are.

This past weekend my Facebook account was hacked. Somehow a virus got implanted into my Facebook account and was sent out to all of the contacts in my Facebook account. This would not be much of an issue were my Facebook contacts only social ones but, unfortunately, I, like most Facebook users, have made the mistake of using Facebook as a connecting point for both social and professional acquaintances.

To my dismay, my professional contacts were subjected to spam from this pervasive Facebook virus simply because I had befriended them. How embarassing! Worse yet, I was the unfortunate recipient of many (well-meaning) messages advising me how to avoid such situations.... as if I did not know that one should not open unknown attachments! [It's not like I'm an online newbie, ya know.] Due to my exposed position in the virtual community, I happen to be a target for daily spam attacks. I have pretty stringent protections in place, and I follow pretty careful personal rules. None of that had any bearing in this instance.

It is interesting that many of those who are quick to condemn Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer for their security weaknesses continue to use Facebook as if Facebook's security is better. It is not. I have been sufficiently sobered by the weekend's events to renew my efforts to urge others to use ChoralNet for professional contacts and Facebook for personal/social ones. I am confident that ChoralNet's system is fairly secure. Even if ChoralNet does not have the same resources as Facebook, it is smaller. Because ChoralNet is not the Goliath that Facebook is, it flies beneath the radar of most hackers. Furthermore, our systems manager, Martin Knowles, keeps a vigilant watch against unauthorized access. Allen Simon, our webmaster, has devised a system that keeps spammers from becoming registered ChoralNet users.

If you have not created a ChoralNet profile yet, do so. Together let us create a safe professional environment for online choral music networking. Use ChoralNet Communities as a replacement for Facebook groups. Urge your colleagues to register on ChoralNet and create a professional persona there. Place your photos and comments and such there were they will be seen and read by an audience dedicated to the choral art. I think we'll all benefit.

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