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Saturday
Feb162013

Social Media: Logging In

This piece in Lifehacker addresses an important question -- why do various social sites ask for your Facebook, Google, Twitter credentials as their login information? -- and an associated todo.

Is There Any Reason Not to Use My Social Network Account to Sign Into Apps?

By Thorin Klosowski

Dear Lifehacker,

Why do all these apps on my phone and on the web want my Facebook (or Twitter and Google) information to sign up for an account? Is it safe to use these?

Sincerely,

Signing Off?

Dear SO,

Social logins are pretty common these days. You need a Twitter, Facebook, or Google account for a lot of services. Sites and apps want to link to your social network account for two main reasons: authentication (it saves them from storing your password and info), and to collect your data from you social network. Here's what each of them do, and why you might not want to use them. 

Story continues at link. 

The associated todo is, every month -- mark your calendar! -- following the steps indicated to check the application permissions set in your Facebook, Google, Twitter accounts. This maintenance will help protect your private information and avoid embarrassing public posts. 

 

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