How To Stay Safe On Facebook

Facebook has accumulated hundreds of millions of users from around the globe and

its expansion shows no signs of slowing down, with it currently battling with Google to be the most visited website. At one point it even managed to overtake Google in terms of raw page views, which suggests in some opinions that the age of the search engine is ending and people are turning instead to social networking sites in order to share information and stay in touch.

As great a tool as Facebook is, it can also be exploited by malicious forces, or misused by legitimate users who give away a bit too much information and end up in trouble. There have been several high profile cases in which employees have been sacked and pupils expelled from schools due to inappropriate remarks or actions made via Facebook and whatever you do it is essential to protect your private information and stay safe when using the site. Thankfully, it is relatively simple to stick to this path.

The best way to stay safe on Facebook is to limit the amount of personal details that you put on the site. It is possible to upload everything from your name and date of birth to your address and home phone number, which is perfectly fine if you want to share this with your closest friends. However, unless you take steps to alter your privacy settings this information will also be available to anyone else who has a profile on the site.

You can set several levels of privacy in order to meet a setting that suits you. For example, it is possible to restrict access to your profile from all but your direct friends. Anyone else will not be able to see any information which you do not want to go outside of your friendship group. Looser security settings will allow people who are members of the same regional network to see your details and you can tweak virtually every aspect. The significant point is that you will have to do this manually to stay safe.

Facebook is filled with third party software and applications that you can install on your profile. Many of these are benign and some are extremely useful. However, there are some apps and groups which pose a threat to your privacy, because apps often require that the user gives over access to their personal details. Ideally you should deny access and uninstall all apps for total safety, but this is not always possible if you want to make the most of the site. As such make sure that you are not signing up to a fraudulent app or group by checking online for news of scams. If you fall victim to one you could see your data stolen and your profile might even be hijacked and used to launch a spam campaign to lure in your friends. This is something you do not want to happen, so always use caution and if you do not trust an app or group steer clear.

When using Facebook from day to day, even if you have your privacy settings locked down, be aware that whatever you do or say may still be visible to undesirable parties. Never give financial information using the service and keep your password private and difficult to guess. If your account is hacked, change your password and consider changing it regularly whilst avoiding obvious phrases. Facebook can be a great tool, but it is only worth using if it can be used safely.

by: Graham Worrall

POST COMMENT

Storyboarding:storyboards That Will Get Your Viewers' Interests Simple And Fast Mixed Martial Arts - A Brief History Of Mma The Evolution Of Spectacles Glasses In The History F5 Oklahoma Tornado: An Officer's Story 3 dont Forget About Facebook Fan Pages! Simple Steps To Create Pdf Ebooks Using Pdf Converter Fall Of Giants By Ken Follett Has Expansive Storyline Wortmann Brings Robust 13.3-inch Notebook Sterling Silver Jewelry, History, Important Facts And Other Uses How To Make Your Article To Promote You In The Best Way? Hp Compaq 6730b Series Nn205ea Notebook Overview Comprehensive Guidebook Relative To Reduction Along With Amazing Stays At Your Great San Diego Vacat Lodging Guidebook As Well As Grand Packages Combined With Peaceful Stays At Your Great San Diego Vac