Today is Quit Facebook Day it follows a week that brought news of enhanced security features on Facebook followed by another round of public demand for more security and simpler security. Quit FB Day… I wonder if there’s a Facebook Group or Fan Page? If you remember how much work it was to set up your Facebook account and start connecting with all your friends, you’re probably hesitant to take down your account when the draw to return will be there in the future. Rather than looking at Facebook’s past or creating a future wish list, these are the simple tips to lock down Facebook security issues now.
1. Update Your Security Settings on Facebook. Even if you’ve done if before it’s important that you login and set your Facebook security settings. One of Facebook’s last attempts to resolve security issues reset all security settings to default levels, which in most cases shows the users information to not just friends, but everyone on Facebook.
2. Do Not Click or Respond to Phishing Emails. I get emails that say I haven’t responded to a Friend request. You have to be on guard not to get sucked into these Phishing Emails because sometimes they look like they come from people you know or from friends of your friends. But that’s part of the trick.
3. Opt Out of Email Updates. I’m like custom security, so I’ve chosen “custom” settings from the Security Settings. I only allow Friends to see my information and my Facebook rule is that I only “Friend” people I know. I’ve even gone into the Account Settings (this is different than the Security Settings) and opted out of Email for “Sends me a message”, “Pokes me”, etc. Knowing that I’m not going to get emails from Facebook means that I won’t respond to a Phishing Email in error. Avoiding Facebook emails that notice updates means I can also stay organized and not feel like a Pavlov dog jumping to attention when I get an email.
4. Learn to Tell the Difference Between a Real Friend and a Face Friend. How do you know which emails are real? First, when you login to Facebook it’s clear whether you have pending friend requests. If you have any pending real friend requests they will show in the upper left corner of the Facebook screen: next to the Facebook logo there is a two-headed icon for “friend requests”. When friend request(s) are pending a red number showing how many requests are pending will appear on the icon.
5. Your Friends May Not Be As Careful As You. My recommendation is to change the security settings so you profile information can only be seen by your friends. If you have a business or venture and want greater exposure on Facebook you should set up a Fan Page that can be seen by everyone on Facebook. When your Friends allow everyone to see their information, Phishers can find your information. When your Friends click on Phishing Emails and give out their Facebook login they allow Phishers to use their account to contact you!
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