Facebook’s data scandal has made some people nervous about staying on the social network.
It seems every other week there’s a new data breach, hack or security issue. It is no surprise that it makes some feel paranoid when it comes to using the Internet.
Some of Facebook’s more than two billion users may be wondering if it’s time to join the “#deletefacebook” movement.
The problem is Facebook has gotten so big, and people use it in so many parts of their lives, that it’s past that tipping point where it’s more trouble to get off it than it is to stay on it – no matter what they do.
According to a survey conducted in March by investment firm, Raymond James, only eight per cent of people said they will stop using Facebook, in light of the Cambridge Analytica data scandal. Meanwhile, just 20 per cent said they would use it significantly less.
However, there are ways technology users can stay secure without completely removing themselves from the social media. According to CNET, you can keep yourself safe while still on Facebook.
Adjust your Facebook settings
You can limit a lot of the stuff that they share about you or that they target against you.
If you are not ready to dive into Facebook’s substantial settings menu, there is a more user-friendly guide through the more vital privacy settings. Click on the question mark symbol in the top right of any Facebook page when you’re logged in, and select Privacy Check-up, an easy-to-follow walkthrough of your current settings as they pertain to “Posts”, “Apps” and “Profile.”
(Alternately, for an even quicker speed-tune-up, you can adjust who can see your posts, send you friend requests, or block users by hitting the question mark symbol and selecting Privacy shortcuts.)
Starting with Posts, you can check your default sharing setting. We recommend the Friends setting over the Public one. When set to Public all your posts can be seen by anyone on or off Facebook. Unless you’re a celebrity or running a page that is used to generate interest in a business you run, you will likely want to keep your activity restricted to those that are your friends.
The Friend setting has a few tweaks you should be aware of as well. By clicking on the sharing setting button, then the More Options button, you will see the Custom option. Click on that and you will see that you can include all your Friends while excluding the names of certain Facebook friends you don’t want to see your updates. It is also important to note that the Friends of anyone tagged in your post or photos will be able to see that post unless you uncheck the option in this window.
If you have joined any Facebook groups or made lists of Facebook friends, you can restrict the posts that way or hide your posts from those groups and lists as well. Do you want just your college friends to see your late night party pictures? Do you want to make sure your work friends don’t see your selfie at the beach when you called in sick? This is where these restrictions could come in handy, either on a per post basis or as an overall option.
Finally, remember that you can change the sharing settings of any individual Facebook update by clicking on the sharing button to the left of the Post button. You can even go back to change settings of previous posts by clicking on the people icon at the top of the post, to the right of the date stamp.
Limit the use of web cam
When it comes to web cams and microphones, should users be covering them up, or is that extreme?
If you have something confidential that you want to hide, you can put ‘Post it’ note on your webcam. Putting a sticker or ‘Post it’ note over a laptop’s webcam lens is one way to stop unwanted spying from potential hackers (and, perhaps, government agencies).
Master different passwords
Although it may be hard to remember a different password for every site that requires one, experts, however, state that using different passwords is one of the best defences you can practise. That is because once your information is hacked; a bad actor can try those same credentials on various websites, and easily get access.
Check your email with www.haveibeenpwned.com, a website that aggregates accounts that have been compromised in a data breach.
If you have trouble remembering your passwords, use a password manager, but if you’re not comfortable keeping your information in the Cloud – try good old pen and paper.
The physical security of that piece of paper may be better than the electronic security of a notepad file on your phone, or emailing it to yourself, or reusing the password.
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