Facebook users are a fanatical bunch some of them spending hours a day online engaging with friends, family and co-workers. Even if you are not that obsessive about Facebook you might be wondering how secure the site is and what steps you could be taking to reduce your information security risks while still having fun online.
Facebook security risks come in a variety of forms but here five security tips lower your risks while using Facebook
Tip # 1 – Do not click on suspicious links Just because a link is posted on Facebook does not mean you can trust it. Validate the destination the link prior to clicking and if you have friends who always send you stuff of suspicious quality it is best to avoid clicking on links they provide.
Tip #2 – Use a unique password for accessing Facebook I know it is tempting to use the same password for every site you access while online but that magnifies your risk of all of your passwords being compromised. All it takes is for a security incident to occur at one of those sites to expose all of your accounts so it is better to diversify your passwords to minimize your exposure.
Tip #3 – Avoid logging into Facebook on untrusted networks unless you authenticate with https.Facebook never offered an encrypted login option until CEO Mark Zuckerberg had account security issues that were likely related to his credentials being intercepted in the clear because they were transmitted with insecure protocols. After that incident Facebook quickly rolled out https options which you should take advantage of. Here is information on How to Configure Https for Facebook
Tip #4 – Facebook ads or games may contain malwareJust because it is on Facebook does not mean specific ads or games are secure to use. Be discreet about which applications you install and make sure your pc or mobile device is fully patched and protected with anti-virus software to help lower your chances of having a problem.
Tip #5 – Realize Facebook is being targeted by spammers and identity thievesFacebook is a huge platform and because of that it has the attention of lots of people seeking to make money off of you and your information. Be careful about what information you share because it could increase your risk of identity theft since many fraud deterrent systems rely on information such as previous addresses and phone numbers.
There is a lot more to learn about Facebook Security so I encourage you to learn more to make sure your information stays secure while you continue to enjoy Facebook.
About the Author
Mark Kelly created Information Security HQ to help small businesses and individuals with advanced information security needs ensure they are properly protected against the many threats that could jeopardize their ongoing success.
Facebook security risks come in a variety of forms but here five security tips lower your risks while using Facebook
Tip # 1 – Do not click on suspicious links Just because a link is posted on Facebook does not mean you can trust it. Validate the destination the link prior to clicking and if you have friends who always send you stuff of suspicious quality it is best to avoid clicking on links they provide.
Tip #2 – Use a unique password for accessing Facebook I know it is tempting to use the same password for every site you access while online but that magnifies your risk of all of your passwords being compromised. All it takes is for a security incident to occur at one of those sites to expose all of your accounts so it is better to diversify your passwords to minimize your exposure.
Tip #3 – Avoid logging into Facebook on untrusted networks unless you authenticate with https.Facebook never offered an encrypted login option until CEO Mark Zuckerberg had account security issues that were likely related to his credentials being intercepted in the clear because they were transmitted with insecure protocols. After that incident Facebook quickly rolled out https options which you should take advantage of. Here is information on How to Configure Https for Facebook
Tip #5 – Realize Facebook is being targeted by spammers and identity thievesFacebook is a huge platform and because of that it has the attention of lots of people seeking to make money off of you and your information. Be careful about what information you share because it could increase your risk of identity theft since many fraud deterrent systems rely on information such as previous addresses and phone numbers.
There is a lot more to learn about Facebook Security so I encourage you to learn more to make sure your information stays secure while you continue to enjoy Facebook.
About the Author
Mark Kelly created Information Security HQ to help small businesses and individuals with advanced information security needs ensure they are properly protected against the many threats that could jeopardize their ongoing success.
