Understanding Facebook Privacy Settings
Facebook privacy overview
Owning some cyber real estate on a social networking site like Facebook has its perks. But, once we join the super-networking site, we need to take inventory of security issues. So here are some basic Facebook privacy how-to's:
Set Your "Sites" on Privacy
Facebook gives you security in four different areas: your profile, search, News Feed, and Applications. Read on to ensure that you've got your settings right.
1. Profile
Your profile contains the most information in your Facebook account. Protect your Facebook privacy by updating your privacy settings. On this screen, you can select an option from a drop down box for a variety of items. You choose what information you put in your profile, including contact and personal information, pictures, interests and groups you join. And you control the users with whom you share that information through the privacy settings on the My Privacy page.
Each of these items can be personalized to be viewed by My Networks and Friends, Friends of Friends, All Friends, or it can be customized. Take the time to organize this properly. If you don't want others to view information about you or your Facebook actions, then de-select the appropriate boxes here.
2. Search
One of the best parts about Facebook is that others can search and find you and your profile. You can adjust your Search privacy options by clicking on "Edit Settings" in the "Search" section of the Facebook Privacy page. From this page, you can restrict who can find you in many different ways. The default option is for everyone on Facebook to be able to find you in searches.
But being able to find you in searches does not necessarily mean that people can see your profile. Your Profile privacy setting determines who can actually view your full profile.
Some Friends have hundreds of Friends. You need to decide if you want all of those people to be able to find you in a search.
Public Searches
The second option is Public Search Listing. Be cautious here when determining Facebook privacy. When others search for you, the listing shows your photo, your network, and some of your Friends. If you don't want this information to be public, then de-select this box.
Contacting You
The last element of Facebook privacy is selecting how others can contact you. If you don't want to be sent messages or have your Friends photos viewed, then de-select these boxes as well.
Be sure to save all of your changes before closing the page.
3. News Feed
On Facebook, news can come in a variety of forms. When you add new Friends, join Networks, update your profile, or send messages to others, this information is posted in your News Feed, which is viewable by you and your Friends as you see fit. On the security page, be sure to de-select any of the elements that you don't want to be seen by others to control Facebook privacy.
4. Application
From the "Other Applications" screen, you can quickly select the items that you want to be viewed by others and which ones you don't. It will only take a minute and you'll have total Facebook privacy in any and all areas you see fit.
Spending a few minutes to properly set your Facebook privacy will result in a better Facebook experience for you and a promise of safe usage.
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