Home > News > Presenting: People on Squidoo

People. They are the driving force behind what makes Squidoo the awesome place it is. This week, it’s only fair we pay tribute to them.

1. Five fabulous people we know and love
2. How to create a lens about YOU
3. Tips to consider for protecting your online security

People suggest new tools, share new ideas, and help each other become better. This week, consider sending a note of thanks to the people who have helped you.

We couldn’t have done it without you!

~Kimberly
Your Community Organizer

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1. Five Fabulous People We Know and Love
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The SquidU forum is a great place for getting to know your fellow lensmasters. This week, we have interviews from five fabulous fellow forum frequenters to share with you. In just a few minutes, you’ll get to know these extraordinary lensmasters and learn tons of tips about traffic and tagging, making more money, and reasons to stick around.

• Jazzing it up with Janet21
• QuippingQueen’s Mental Floss
• Highly Focused with Oniyagi
• Passionate Potter KilnGoddess Tells All
• Interview with RMS

Be sure to leave them a note to say hi!

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2. How to create a lens about YOU
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Imagine. Your boss goes online to Google you and see what a great job you’ve been doing. Gasp! Nothing comes up! Could this be? It doesn’t have to. With Squidoo, you can create your own custom online presence in no time.

• Create an “about me” lens
• Try SquidWho on for size
• Give a Lensography a shot

Squidoo makes it easy to create a lens about yourself. In fact, make several!

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3. Tips to consider for protecting your online security
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Lensmaster and safety expert kellfinder shares some tips for keeping your information safe online, while still letting people get to know you:

The Internet has become so many things to a huge population of people. It is a source of entertainment, a source for news and information and a whole new way to do business. As with most things in life, there is usually some bad to go along with the good, and the Internet is no exception. Once something has become the norm, it is easy to let your guard down and that could cost you a lot.

The biggest threat to you comes from releasing your own personal information. The degrees of harm vary from receiving non-stop spam mail to actual identity theft. There are many individuals that prey on this type of information. However, some violations of privacy come from actual websites themselves.

As social networking sites have grown in popularity, some of those sites have found ways to use your information to their advantage. One way to protect yourself would be to read the terms of service and privacy agreements very carefully. Although this might seem like a very tedious task, it is important to discover if they have something buried in their fine print that is not in your best interest.

Another way safety has been violated through the Internet is from the use of online classified ads. Advertising in this manner can be extremely effective and safe as long as you take the proper precautions. Never give out your whole name, your phone number or your address. If you meet someone after a purchase, always do it in a public place and with a friend. A classified ad site that has a community to go along with it also adds protection by taking away the anonymity factor.When it comes to building and managing your lenses on Squidoo, there are some precautions to be taken as well. First, the golden rule applies of not providing personal information on the lens. Second, take care when responding to an inquiry made through your lens. It would be a good idea to do a Google search first of the name of the person who contacted you, their email address and their company’s name. Find out who you are dealing with before responding.

Quick Tips:

• Read the terms of service and privacy agreements before joining any site
• Keep your address and any financial information to yourself
• Use a social classifieds network rather than anonymous classified ad sites
• Do some research on who you are dealing with before responding

You can find further information on protecting your personal information and privacy in the links to my lenses. They also contain information about safe site choices and groups for advocates of safety.

Learn more about kellfinder through her Internet Privacy and Safety Advocates Group.