The privacy controls on Facebook have been a hot topic for the past couple of months. It seems like lately they are always modifying user’s privacy settings. This can be dangerous for a user who thinks they are secure only to find out that the privacy settings have changed and they have to take manual steps to make their Facebook page secure.
Unfortunately, the lack of user privacy on Facebook can have devastating effects. Last week a woman in Australia was killed by a man who viewed her page and saw her interest in working with animals. He created a fake Facebook page and used details the women posted on her page to show his interest in animals. The man told the women he could get her a job working with animals, and after some online conversations, they set a date to meet at a nearby isolated area where the man murdered the woman.
Recently an article was published in the New York Daily News detailing the steps on how to protect yourself on Facebook. Here is a quick rundown of these steps:
1. You Have To Visit Different Links To Hide Your Profile Info From The Public
This is especially important if your kids have their own Facebook accounts.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
On the upper right-hand corner of the screen, click Account > Privacy Settings > Personal Information and Posts. Make sure you adjust your privacy settings beside all 12 categories.
Then click Back To Privacy > Contact Information. Make sure you adjust your privacy settings beside all 9 categories.
Then click Back to Privacy > Friends, Tags & Connections. Make sure you adjust your privacy settings beside all 10 categories.
2. Facebook Uses Your Info in Ads
When your friends view Facebook ads, they may see your name.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
On the upper right hand corner of your screen, click Account > Account Settings > Facebook Ads.
Select No one beside Allow ads on platform pages to show my information to & beside Show my social actions in Facebook Ads to.
3. You Have Been Enrolled In The Instant Personalization Pilot Program
Facebook gives websites like Yelp, Pandora and Microsoft Docs access to your profile info.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
On the upper right hand corner of your screen, click Account > Privacy Settings > Applications and Websites.
Click Edit Setting beside Instant Personalization Pilot Program.
Then uncheck the box at the bottom of the screen.
Even if you opt out of the Instant Personalization Pilot Program, websites may still access info about you via your friends, unless you block each individual site’s application.
4. Your Friends May Be Sharing Your Info With Third-Parties
When you Facebook friends use applications you do not use, they may be sharing your info with third parties.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
Click Account > Privacy Settings > Applications & Websites > What your friends can share about you.
Uncheck all 13 boxes.
5. You Can Monitor Which Devices Access Your Facebook Account
This tool, released Friday, helps fight hackers by notifying you of unusual log-ins.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
On the upper right-hand corner of your screen, click Account > Account Settings > Account Security.
Click Yes below Would you like to receive notifications for logins from new devices?
The next time you log in, Facebook will ask you to name the device you are using. Then it will send you an email. This way, if anyone logs in to your account from a device you don’t use, you’ll know about it.
6. Yes, You Can Delete Your Facebook Account – But It’s Not Easy
Facebook makes it easy to deactivate your account, which means you can reactivate it at any time without losing your profile info.
However, deleting your account is much more difficult.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
To deactivate your account: On the upper right-hand corner of your screen, click Account > Account Settings > Deactivate Account.
To delete your account: Use this link to delete your Facebook account: https://ssl.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=delete_account
Click Submit.
Enter your password and fill out the text box. Press Okay.
Do not log into Facebook for two weeks, or your account will be reactivated. After two weeks, you won’t be able to log in to Facebook.
Precision Computer Investigations, LLC 