Facebook has become the Google of social networks. We post tons of intimate details about our lives that we normally wouldn’t share with anyone. We think that as long as we make sure our privacy settings are set correctly that we are safe and acquaintance within our circle of friends. The problem is that we never know who’s really looking at our information. Our friend’s account could have been hacked when they installed some rogue application, or their creepy uncle might be using their account because they forgot to log out. Below are settings in Facebook that you can use to protect your personal account being disclosed or hacked by someone others that have bad intention towards you.
1. Enable SSL Encryption. Facebook applies SSL encryption to all browsing done on the site, and it is strongly recommended if you use public computers or access points, such as at coffee shops, airports or libraries. To enable this security feature, visit your Account Settings page, and then choose “Security” from the options on the left side of the screen. Here, you will be able to see whether this option, “Secure Browsing,” is enabled or disabled. Click “Edit” to enable it. Please take note that encrypted pages take longer to load in this mode and that not all third-party apps may support it.
2. Be Wary of Information You Share. The information you share in your profile may seem harmless, but particular pieces are popular with hackers. Take, for example, your birthday. This piece of data is sometimes used in security questions. Disclosing it at wall could put you at risk. It is recommended for you opting out of the feature that lets you and your friends check you into places. Navigate to your Privacy Settings page and click “Edit Settings” next to “How Tags Work.” Then, turn it off.
3. Use Applications and Games Sparingly. App passwords are one-time passwords you use to log into your apps, without needing to enter your Facebook password. To get an app password, go to your Account Settings, then select the Security tab. Click “Edit” next to App Passwords, then follow the prompts.
It is recommended paying careful attention to which applications have the ability to write on your wall or message friends, as this could be used to propagate something malicious. Also, check to see what information the application is able to access about you and what content it can read for example your wall, posts and photos. Applications may use a number of permissions. Because of this, it is best to limit your applications to those that you actually use and have a level of trust for.
4. Log Out of Facebook When You’re Done. When you’re finished browsing Facebook, be sure you log out. This will prevent threats, such as ‘Likejacking,’ that leverage logged-in sessions to Facebook. Likejacking is a form of clickjacking, or the malicious technique of tricking users into posting status update for a site they did not intentionally mean to like. If you have forgotten to log out of Facebook from a computer or mobile device, you can do so remotely. From your Account Settings page, click the “Security” tab on the left. Select “Edit” next to Active Sessions. The following information will show you where you’re logged in on other devices, when you last accessed it and the device. To log out of any of the sessions, just click “End Activity.”
When you browsing Facebook, there is some information that you should never post on Facebook. Here are 5 things you should consider removing or not posting to Facebook or other social networks.
1. You or Your Family’s Full Birth Dates. We all love getting happy birthdays from our friends on our Facebook wall. It makes us feel warm inside knowing that people remembered and cared enough to write us a short note on our special day. The problem is when you list your birthday you are providing identity thieves with one of the three or four pieces of personal information that is needed to steal your identity. It’s best to not list the date at all, but if you must, at least leave out the year.
2. Your Relationship Status. Whether you are in a relationship or not, it may be best not to make it public knowledge. Stalkers would love to know that you just became newly single. If you change your status to single it gives them the green light they were looking for to resume stalking now that you’re back on the market. It also lets them know that you might be home alone since your significant to other is no longer around. Your best bet is to just leave this blank on your profile.
3. Your Current Location. There are a lot of people who love the location tagging feature on Facebook that allows them to let people know where they are 24/7. The problem is that you have just told everyone that you’re on vacation (and not at your house). If you add how long your trip is then thieves know exactly how much time they have to rob you. My advice is not to provide your location at all. You can always upload your vacation pictures when you get home or text your friends to let them know how jealous they should be that you’re sipping an umbrella drink while they toil away at work.
4. The Fact That You Are Home Alone. It is extremely important that parents make sure their children never put the fact that they are home alone in their status. Again, you wouldn’t walk into a room of strangers and tell them you are going to be all alone at your house so don’t do it on Facebook either. We may think that only our friends have access to our status, but we really have no idea who is reading it. Your friend may have had their account hacked or someone could be reading over their shoulder at the library. The best rule of thumb is not to put anything in your profile or status that you wouldn’t want a stranger to know. You may have the most stringent privacy settings possible, but if your friend’s account gets compromised than those settings go out the window.
5. Pictures of Your Kids Tagged With Their Names. We love our kids. We would do anything to keep them safe, but most people post hundreds of tagged pictures and videos of their kids to Facebook without even giving it a second thought. We even go so far as to replace our profile pictures with that of our children. This kind of information could be used by predators to lure your child. They could use your child’s name and the names of their relatives and friends to build trust and convince them that they are not really a stranger because they know detailed information that allows them to build a rapport with your child. If you must post pictures of your children then you should at least remove personally identifying information such as their full names and birth dates.
Learn More…
5 Things You Should Never Post on Facebook, Andy O’Donnell, About.com Guide, http://netsecurity.about.com/od/newsandeditorial1/a/Facebook-Security-5-Things-You-Should-Never-Post-On-Facebook.htm
4 Facebook Security Tips to Stay Safe in 2012, Kristin Burnham, December 08, 2011, http://www.cio.com/article/696212/4_Facebook_Security_Tips_to_Stay_Safe_in_2012_
Bibimbap World (MIS 750) 
Wonderful, what a blog it is! This web site gives useful information to us, keep it up.
Initially the blog meant for completing part of my master degree program. however, if you find this blog will benefit you, I will somehow publish more article related to Information Technology. thanks.