The website Security Info Watch posits that law enforcement likely has yet to realize the true potential of social media monitoring but will eventually arrive there. Social media, for those who do not know the term, is a social instrument of communication. Generally speaking, radio, newspapers and television is a form of communication that is one way transmission. (Unless you’re screaming at the TV during the Superbowl).
Social media is a form of communication that allows people to interact with other people. Social media allows interaction particularly on many websites, for example, by sharing videos or photos and commenting on submissions, interacting by adding, editing, voting and commenting on articles. These options currently exist with websites such as Facebook, Youtube, Flickr and Reddit and are extremely popular forms of social media. Even people in lesser developed nations are aware of social media and its usage. But many are not aware of the consequences for using the internet or social media sites; especially younger users who may be family members of military members or younger military members who are new to technology.
In Feb 2014 hackers broke into the website of U.S. Veterans of Foreign Wars and planted infectious code. An inserted link by the culprits redirected military visitors to a web page that had malicious code to steal information. But in the same way criminals are trying to take advantage of internet and social media users, the users are getting the word out to others (military and non-military persons alike) about public safety. Criminals who partake in doing Stolen Valor generally do so for three reasons: to steal, to take advantage of those looking for relationships, and to earn honor they do not deserve. Criminals pose as heroes and then ask for money, or date unsuspecting persons who go onto to become victims. Veterans are fighting back against those who do Stolen Valor by posting up videos that end up going viral. Military personnel and their ilk (EMS, Police and Fire Safety) as well need to get the word out.
The police are well aware of criminal activity but funding needs to increase so they can focus on the most vile criminals; people are trying to sell their own children online, others set up drug deals or do human trafficking, thieves have posted their stolen goods for sale on Ebay, teen gangs have bragged about their crimes of rape and robbery. Facebook and Twitter is one of the most fertile sources of criminal evidence for law enforcement. Users have not stopped incriminating themselves and law enforcement have seized upon the boldness or stupidity of the users. Users have posted crimes they have committed or crimes they are about to commit. Military members are not without guilt either; some have set up dates with the intent of harming others by theft, or rape; these are just some of the crimes.
Police look for trends and begin to use the data. From an incident management system and through pattern recognition law enforcement can transform this data into actionable intelligence from and respond to future events. Capturing faces and names from the internet, using surveillance feeds to transmit as well, matching faces with data in a criminal database, matching this data with known tips and analyzing how people respond may allow law enforcement to increase their presence in an area or actually to catch a criminal.
British police monitor social networks and try to gauge the public mood and look for keywords to look for future events. Events such as the need to control traffic, control crowds or something related to public safety is a way social media is being utilized. Public outreach through social media, by law enforcement posting mug-shots or asking for tips, has solved many crimes. Military members do a great job of putting the “word” out to others about criminal behavior. Everyone is best served to work together to combat trolls and the more sinister users of the net and social media.
Criminals use social media to commit crimes by monitoring neighbors in their communities. Military vacationers who live off-base and excitedly post they are leaving for the holidays may find themselves a target of burglars. Those military members who look to connect via dating websites could be the victims of robbery or rape. Falsely advertised goods and stolen goods are ways criminals are using Craigslist and EBay. Pedophiles are sharing photo data and likely matters related to kidnapping victims. You need to protect yourself and your children.
Social media has many benefits for military users. There are informative articles about important events that can more easily be obtained on the internet through blogging; writers share the information they gather for the benefit of all. Tracking flu epidemics or weather and emergency responses are some of the things many military communities are using social media for; especially partners or spouses who are at home while their trooper is away on deployment. Information about potential mass shootings and other spontaneous events, such as illegal drag racing events, should be monitored and reported by military families. Again, social media can be a useful tool and can be enjoyed by all but be wary of what you share online, and remember that safety is everyone’s concern.
For military families:
- Limit what you share online to protect your identity and privacy. Do not share your home address, home and cell phone numbers.
- Don’t share were you live and when you will be away, especially if you have pictures of your personal items online for all to see: TV, computers, and jewelry.
- Be involved with your children and know who they are communicating with.
- If you are meeting with someone that you met online, let someone know where you are going and who the personality is.
Here is a cheat sheet:Internet-Safety-Rules