There are things called apps and other plug-ins by third party developers meant for several purposes: games, adware etc. People who use these online are usually expected to sign up. The information you use to sign up is what they use to identify you. Beyond identification, it is a way to mine user data which they use in several different ways which safety or legality or privacy we won't concern ourselves here with. Sometimes signing up to use these services can be a turn off so to make it simpler and a click away, social media and other accounts are used.

So, instead of filling out a form you can be asked to use your details from Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo etc, greatly simplifying the process. However, the same details (and even several more) are gathered about you as you are asked to give the app/service permission to access your information via these accounts you have already. To ask for your data, they are getting more and more creative by coming up with enticing things like claiming to make you see who's viewing your profile, when you will die (my favourite), gossip news etc.

In a world where people try to scam you face to face, you can imagine how much more convenient it is to do so remotely. So, unless you are absolutely sure of what you are getting from using these third party services, it is usually not a good idea to give this access. Third party apps are able to post links on your behalf. This is how you can suddenly start posting links to things you are sure you would not on your own: adverts, porn etc.

For the love of akara and bread please pass this around so that you save a friend from embarrassment and having to send out a disclaimer while swearing on their local deity.

-Fesh.