Webcam Dates: What safety precautions should you take online?
Online dating has been around since the early days of the internet. Back in the neanderthal days it was called, yes, cyberdating. Remember? However, as the technology and internet social mores unfold over the years, things keep changing. Fundamentally, singles are looking for romantic relationships online. And they want to protect their privacy and personal safety while doing so.
One of the trends that has come and gone was a software over at Match that had you look at facial types to register what types you found attractive. And also to record who you thought would be attracted to you.
Now that latter question is the interesting one to ponder. I think now I would type all of them as I’m expecting them to find me attractive! lol. Yeah, my confidence level has increased from the prehistoric days of internet dating.
Well, one of the current trends within internet dating is a growing use of SKYPE. Some singles who’ve met at a dating site and have moved to being interested in meeting each other for a first date are wanting to use SKYPE. They’re seeing SKYPE as an additional layer of connection and screening before they reserve the time in their schedule to meeting.
This can also offer couples who live further away from each other a way to connect with 3 dimensional visual layer before traveling significantly to meet. I’ll cover that more in the next day or two.
However, since using SKYPE opens your privacy up massively online, I have to address your safety and security preservation first.
SKYPE Dating Hazard #1. Opening your webcam to someone across the internet exposes your whole computer for being attacked and hacked.
Know that by connecting with someone over the internet by webcam puts all the data on your computer at risk. You might have personal photos you don’t want to share. You might have personal information as well as financial information stored on the computer you are using.
Kinda like you can’t be too safe with using perhaps a separate cell phone just for your dating like, you can’t be too safe by using perhaps a separate computer with very little on it for SKYPE dating.
SKYPE Dating Hazard #2. You must set up a separate personal SKYPE account with a Nome De Plume name
Just like at internet dating sites you use a Profile Name and not your full personal legal name in your publicly published profile, so it is with SKYPE. The other person can see you Name and Location of whatever you enter in your SKYPE profile.
So if you are going to use SKYPE in conjunction with dating online, then do be sure to set up a separate account than what you may share with your friends or use for work purposes. Think: Protect your privacy and your safety online!
SKYPE Dating Hazard #3. They can see your home.
Select where you choose to share your SKYPE and converse from inside of your home very carefully. Do not bring your laptop into your bedroom and SKYPE with your bed headboard showing behind you. Additionally, you don’t want to SKYPE with your huge picture window showing the front of your neighbor’s house behind you. Remember, every building and street has been photographed and is viewable on Google World.
With the privacy laws in the EU, thank goodness, you have the option to opt out of being displayed. However, not so in North America. Just go watch some episodes of Law & Order or NCIS where they deal with internet privacy and jeopardizing your life. This is not about being paranoid. This is just about your being in control and cognizant of what you’re doing.
Choose your back drop and background with forethought. A blank wall. A bookcase. Those are what are wise choices for a complete stranger to see of your house before they have met you.
SKYPE is a great tool and huge break through for creating an additional layer of connect between singles at online dating sites.
However, do think of, consider, and mitigate the risks and hazards you are putting yourself at risk for first before you SKYPE with a complete stranger. Protect yourself while pursuing love.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Internet Dating Matchmaker LA
———————————————————————-
Internet Dating and Relationship Expert
as seen in “Dating for Dummies” 3rd Edition
Click here to apply to have April write your professionally written internet dating profile.
Internet Dating Profile Writing and Review
Have you tried internet dating? But it’s not really working for you like the glamorous images you see depicted in the tv ads? Want help to be successful and safe with online dating? Are you ready to get online and look for love using the exciting internet dating sites? Have you been online for awhile, but you just don’t seem to be finding and attracting the right kind of singles for you? April offers her internet dating profile writing and review service to empower to attract love online and get better dates. If you already have an online dating profile, she will review it and assist you to rev it up to be more attractive and alluring to the opposite sex. If you are at square one and want to get online, with her Internet Dating Profile Writing service, she’ll help you capture and convey your unique essence online and get your profile posted asap.
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Steve C says
May 1, 2011 at 7:49 AMPeople need to take precautions when doing anythig online. You have some great tips for staying safe when using SKYPE with people you don’t know. People need to pay attention to these precautionary steps.
Steve C
Covert Hypnosis says
May 1, 2011 at 9:05 AMI had no idea that opening SKYPE exposed your computer to hacking but it does make sense. Never dawned on me. Your other comments are well considered and wise as well…
Sonya Lenzo says
May 1, 2011 at 9:51 AMIt is sort of sad to think that you NEED this level of protection but it is also true.
Sonya Lenzo
Kevin Bettencourt says
May 1, 2011 at 2:07 PMThe technology today is awesome in both positive and negative ways. Your advise is beyond helpful.
Eva Palmer Hipnosis para dejar de fumar Savilla says
May 1, 2011 at 3:20 PMI have been using skype for sooo long but had no idea at all about the tips you just shared! Thanks April!
Neil Dhawan says
May 1, 2011 at 4:59 PMI don’t use Skype, but have wanted to. Thanks to this article, I now know how to protect myself before taking the plunge, which is very valuable. I never knew that the computer was so vulnerable with Skype and am wondering if their are some other security precautions we can take to protect things we don’t want readily available?
Best, Neil
Dewayne Chriswell says
May 1, 2011 at 7:51 PMApril, a very poignant post in internet security. As an infrequent Skype user I tend to keep most of these tips in mind, but you’ve given me some very valuable ones, too. Thanks again for all the details.
Dewayne Chriswell
Clare Delaney says
May 2, 2011 at 3:37 AMGosh, I had no idea! Thanks April, forewarned is forearmed.
Clare
Michael D Walker says
May 2, 2011 at 11:24 AMSuper advice about safety & security using Skype for meeting with someone online.
Is it true that your Skype session can also be recorded? I heard that recently and wondered if both parties had to have something installed or could someone record your Skype session without you knowing it?
Michael
Jennifer Battaglino says
May 2, 2011 at 6:44 PMI never realized that people were dating with skype but makes sense because you think it’s a safe way to see and talk to each other.
I was also told that Skype is not secure, meaning people could IM in as long as you were on line. Is that possible? Not sure how that could happen if people don’t have your signon.
Jen B
http://personalizedempowerment.com
Gerry says
May 4, 2011 at 1:45 PMskypes could be the best way to check out your date before meeting like you say.
but how alarming is it that skype is unsafe and could be used against you, well i guess mr skype creator you need to do a little modification though cause this application is indeed a blessing