If utilized properly, online platforms can be informative and entertaining, provide feedback from peers, let us connect with others and network with them, and be used for so much more. BUT, Think before entering any content through any platform that may prove to be embarrassing, inappropriate, etc. Remember, information, photos, opinions, etc. placed online: are often seen by unintended viewers (“frenemies,” potential employers, etc.), have a very long shelf life (even after items are taken down) – posters and bloggers can be relentless, may be placed online without your knowledge or permission, may pop up in a Google search if anyone wants to learn more about you.

1. How to Be Even Smarter Online,
Especially with Social Media
Presented by Dr. Joel R. Evans, RMI Distinguished Professor
Zarb School of Business, Hofstra University
joel.r.evans@hofstra.edu
www.evansonmarketing.com

3. Hundreds of millions of people use Facebook everyday to
keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of
photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the
people they meet.
Twitter is a real-time information network that
connects you to the latest information about what
you find interesting. At the heart of Twitter are
small bursts of information called Tweets. Each
Tweet is 140 characters in length.
A blog is a personal diary. A collaborative space. A
soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. Your blog is
whatever you want it to be. There are no real rules. It
is where you write stuff on an ongoing basis.

4. A smartphone combines a personal digital assistant and a
mobile phone. It also serves as a portable media player and
camera phone with high-resolution, a Web browser that can
display standard Web pages rather than only mobile-
optimized sites, GPS navigation, Wi-Fi, and mobile broadband
access. Apple and Android phones lead. Models are typically
incompatible across different service providers.
Short message (or messaging) service, a system
that enables cellular phone users to send and
receive text messages.
A system for sending and receiving messages electronically
over a computer network, as between PCs or smartphones.
E-mail messages are typically longer, easier to categorize
and store, and more permanent than SMS.

5. Groupon features a daily deal on the best stuff to do,
see, eat, and buy in 45 countries. It offers deals tailored
locally. E-mails are sent out each day to members.
When you go to an area and visit a location – such
as a restaurant, club, or just about anything else,
you'd activate your Foursquare app, which taps
into the phone's GPS receiver to get an idea
about where you are. The app will pull up a list of
locations near you. If your friends also have
Foursquare, they can see your updates and keep
track of what's going on.

6. LinkedIn operates the world’s largest online
professional network with more than 200 million
members in over 200 countries and territories.
This secure site provides the Hofstra
community with world-class Intranet services
along with single-sign on access to the Hofstra
Online Information System and Blackboard.
It's fast and free for Optimum Online customers while you are
out and about. It is available in shopping centers, restaurants,
cafés, train platforms, parks, marinas, malls, sports fields, and
more. Save on expensive cellular data charges for Wi-Fi smart
phones.

7. Recognizing the Differences
Among Various Platforms
• Do you understand the differences among the platforms you
choose?
• Why do you use each platform? (What are your
intentions/goals?)
• What do you need to buy/download/connect/learn to use the
various platforms? Know what you are doing and be selective!!!
• Is it really necessary to always have the “latest” hardware?
• Is it really necessary to keep signing up for so many apps?
(every one of them has some kind of info stored on your device)
• How should you approach each social media platform that
represents you with regard to the “style” (“look”) you use?
(Facebook vs. LinkedIn vs. Blog)
• How active a participant do you want to be versus just a visitor?

8. Being Smart - 1
• If utilized properly, online platforms can be informative and
entertaining, provide feedback from peers, let us connect with
others and network with them, and be used for so much more.
• Don’t lose track of the time you are spending.
• Differentiate between “fun” sites (Facebook) and “professional”
sites (LinkedIn).
• Think before entering any content through any platform that
may prove to be embarrassing, inappropriate, etc.
• Remember, information, photos, opinions, etc. placed online:
(a) are often seen by unintended viewers (“frenemies,” potential
employers, etc.).
(b) have a very long shelf life (even after items are taken down) –
posters and bloggers can be relentless.
(c) may be placed online without your knowledge or permission.
(d) may pop up in a Google search if anyone wants to learn more
about you.

9. Being Smart - 2
• Carefully control information you provide and make available:
 Facebook
 Foursquare
 LinkedIn
• Know who your “friends” are. Don’t focus on how many “likes”
that you amass as a measure of your self-esteem and popularity.
• Be aware of these practices and how to deal with them:
 Good etiquette in communicating with others by platform
 Opt-in vs. opt-out
 Cookies (good vs. bad)
 Spam and phishing
 Cyberbullying and sexting
 Properly crediting others
• Read the privacy policy for each site and app:
 How will your privacy be protected?
 What kinds of information will be made available to third parties?
 Should you let people know “I’m here” through a location app?

10. Being Smart - 3
• When possible, use the strongest possible virus protection.
(frequent deals; don’t buy from overpriced provider sites).
• Know which platforms are secure and which aren’t:
 Downloads (they often plant cookies and they can be traced back;
be careful with illegal downloads: they can leave viruses)
 Wi-Fi
 Wireless network in home or at work
 E-mail (retaining locally vs. on central servers)
 E-mail attachments (frequent source of viruses)
 http vs. https (don’t give ANY personal info if http)
 Internet vs. Intranet
 Public PCs with Internet connections (such as the local library)
 Cloud computing
• Credit cards are usually fine. Be sure you use encrypted sites:
 Be careful about leaving credit card info online.
 Guard the security code on your card.
 Consider an online “wallet.”

11. Being Smart - 4
• Regularly clean out your temporary files and defrag the PC.
CCleaner is GREAT FREE software (www.piriform.com/ccleaner).
• Encrypt sensitive documents.
• Know what makes a good password:
 Don’t just use your name or combinations of it.
 Use at least six to eight characters.
 Include at least one letter, number, and symbol.
 Don’t use one password for all accounts.
• Use multiple E-mail addresses:
 Use one regular E-mail address and others for newsletters,
downloads, etc.
 Use a professional-looking E-mail address on your resume and
LinkedIn, and in your job-related E-mails. Don’t use your name and
birthday. It’s tacky and not professional looking!!!
• When in doubt, don’t press “send” or enter.
• Online, YOU are your best friend. Please don’t be your worst
enemy, too. Think.
• Don’t ignore your personal social skills and your verbal
communication skills.