To Facebook or not to Facebook – that is the question.
After the current fiasco with Facebook giving away the data of 87 million of their users to Cambridge Analytica, many people are asking this question and frankly so they should. And even if they are not asking whether or not to keep their Facebook Page, they are certainly now more aware of the need for security for their Facebook Page.
We here at Affordable Computer Repairs are often asked about Facebook and what we think about Facebook security etc.
It is all a matter of opinion and it depends on what you use Facebook for. Some use it to keep in touch with friends and family and others use it as a marketing tool for their business. Whatever you use Facebook for, you should know the basic rules that will keep you safe when using Facebook. There are also many other different social media outlets that can be used for free that you may deem safer to use.
Security Rules for Facebook
Below are some general rules for using Facebook to keep you safe:
- Learn how to use Facebook correctly which usually means getting the settings correct for yourself and then assisting others. The settings I am referring to are who sees your details and when you post something. This can be seen in the settings in the top-right drop-down of the page.
- Learn about what is sensitive content and appropriate behaviour.
- Never share a password and most definitely use a completely different password for your Facebook account than you use for anything else.
- Think before you post something. Once posted it could be there forever.
- Adjust your privacy settings and review them regularly. Facebook changes things so regularly that your settings could get changed by them as a matter of course.
- Only accept friend requests from people you do actually know personally.
- Report suspicious posts and behaviour.
- Do not put in your profile on online anything that you would be embarrassed about or is damaging to yourself or family. Many employers check Facebook accounts of job seekers. In fact, I would go further than that and I tell people “do not put anything which is factual” in your Facebook profile or a post online. Do you really want to inform all and sundry that you will be away on this date and your house will be empty? Nearly as good as taking out a full-page advert in the local paper. The type of information that you should not include on your Facebook Page includes the date of birth and location and things like location services which can tell people exactly where you were when you posted something and can be quite troubling.
- Block or restricting people is a good way of keeping out the trolls.
- Make sure the correct privacy settings are on your Facebook account as well as on whatever device you use to interact with Facebook, be it a computer, iPad or mobile phone and check them regularly as stated above.
- Be street smart and savvy.
How to Deactivate your Facebook Account
A large number of people have also started deactivating their Facebook account because of these privacy issues. Here is a quick guide on how to deactivate your account;
- At the top right of your Facebook Page is a little arrow, after clicking this go to settings on the dropdown.
- Click on general on the left column of the settings page.
- Click manage your account and scroll down to deactivate your account.
Some things to note before deactivating your account, you can still keep your messenger account active if you wish so you can still chat with friends. No one will be able to see your account or any information. Your friends, however, will still see your name in their friends list and group admins will still see any post you have made in that group.
This article from the Huffington Post written in 2014 before all this current fiasco started, it is well worth the time to read.
