4 Simple Steps to keep Hackers off from your Facebook Account!

It is never surprising that you flick through emails and messages on your expensive smartphone as soon as the morning alarm rings up. You will be interested in sharing your day to day activities in life via Facebook, Twitter or any other social media pla

It is never surprising that you flick through emails and messages on your expensive smartphone as soon as the morning alarm rings up. You will be interested in sharing your day to day activities in life via Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platforms. You might also share your tour itinerary, ‘check in’ to beautiful locations you had been to, etc. It can be continued a lot below the lines - the joyful activities on social media.As rightly said that a coin would have two sides, thus the social media too. This article guides you on various steps to be done to escape from cyber attacks and to stay secure.The important fact that one should know is that there are numerous loopholes while sharing personal and private details through social media.

“There is no point in blaming Facebook for revealing your credentials to the hackers as you are responsible for exposing it on social media.”

Although it helps us to a great extent to connect with old friends, relatives, and colleagues, the risk in sharing sensitive information is very high. Those brains behind these cyber crimes can create duplicate account details, make fraud identity which all together can cause death to one’s career life or even to life itself! Teens and youngsters are more prone to these attacks as they immaturely share valuable, sensitive and personal information, most probably without the knowledge of their parents. Therefore, parents should take utmost care in monitoring their children's accounts.

What are The ‘Privacy Account’ Steps to be taken?

Facebook is the most widely used user-friendly social network, approximately 90% of the world population are Facebook account holders. You should make a point to understand that all the information that you share which include name, DOB, photos, videos, personal information like phone numbers, etc, are visible to the public. The skilled cyber thieves around the world can make use of this information if they once plan to start the hack mission.Thanks to Facebook that they have implemented various privacy settings so that to ensure enough security for its members. Unfortunately, many of the members are unaware of this facility and also are illiterate on using them in an apt manner.This article targets at those population and to help them secure themselves.

How to reach “privacy settings on Facebook"?

Step 1: Login to FacebookStep 2: Click on right top corner on downward pointing arrowStep 3: Click on settingsStep 4: click on privacy on left sideFYI, there are four types of viewers for your profile, they are:i) Public: visible to any Facebook memberii) Friends: visible to all friendsiii) Friends except.. : can add those friends to be exempted from viewing your posts or informationiv) Specific friends: view restricted to specific number of friendsv) Only me:  not visible to anyone.vi) Custom: allows you to share or exclude content from select people and lists. You can keep your audience according to your preference. The maximum you limit public to view your profile, the more safer you are! Also, you are comparatively safe when you share minimum information through social media. To be safe, restricting the view to ‘friends’ is most recommended.Once you choose a setting, it will be the same until you change it manually.

How to manage privacy settings?

Once you reach the respective page, you have options under three headings1) Who can see my stuff?2) Who can contact me?3) Who can look me up?For all the three sections, FRIENDS /FRIENDS OF FRIENDS is the recommended to option to select.At last, you will be able to see a question – Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link your profile?Usually, most of you will be wondering what this is and which option you should select. The most recommended safe option is, of course, NO. If this is turned on, other search engines like google or yahoo, when your name is searched, your profile will be linked to it, which is not necessary as common people are concerned.

What is PII?

PII is elaborated as Personally Identifying Information. It includes your previous educational institutions, birthday, hometown, etc. these are minor information to you, but it may be valuableinformation for cyber criminals to get through your bank accounts. Therefore, in the section ABOUT on Facebook, make the viewers option as friends rather than public.Points to be taken care of to prevent others from accessing personal Facebook account:

• Create strong password:

Eventhough you have already created a Facebook account, it is always advisable to make sure your Facebook password is different from other online accounts e.g. blog, email, hosting etc.To change your password, go to Account > Settings > General >Password

• Confirm your mobile number

Confirming your mobile number is helpful if you lose or forget your password. Facebook will be able to send a new one via SMS.To add your mobile number, go to Account Settings > Mobile and click on Add a Phone.Select your country and set the mobile carrier before clicking Next.You also have the option to Share your number with friends on Facebook and Allow friends to text me from Facebook. Select your preferences and click Next.

• Activate `Login Approvals’

Login approvals is an extended security feature offered by Facebook and it will need a security code each time you try to access your Facebook account from unrecognized devices.To activate Login Approvals, go to Account > Settings >Security and click on the Edit button. Tick the check box to activate and click on the Set Up Now button on the popup window.If your number is already registered, Facebook will automatically send you a code via SMS. You will have to enter this code in the given box and click Submit Code.As you have completed the Login Approval request, click Next to continue. Facebook will offer you to set up a Code Generator from your mobile phone.

• Disconnect Previous Active Sessions

To make your account safe, go to Account Settings > Security page, look for 'Active Sessions’ and click on Edit.Now you can see all the previous sessions and the current active sessions. Click on the link `End Activity’ to kill the activities from other devices.

• Sign out after use

Always remember to log out from your Facebook account.

Do apps you ‘like’ on Facebook has access to your profile?

Yes. Once you select the option ‘public’, all the third party applications you like for e.g.: gaana.com, Instagram, Farmville, etc. will have access to any information on your profile which is public. This is a way through for cyber criminals to make their way smoother to enter your account.Facebook also provides its members the option to block applications or invites from specific friends. Whatever changes you make, you have ensured saving the settings.In spite of all privacy measures, your information is still public! How?Your friend’s post will expose your PII to the public once you are tagged in his/her post. To avoid these, timeline and tagging settings must be altered.Activate seeking permission to post on your timeline. i.e., any posts on your timeline by your friends will be posted once you give the permission.All these can be done under timeline & tagging setting on the same page mentioned earlier. Above mentioned are some of the basic privacy setting changes that you have to follow to prevent an attack from cyber criminals in the internet world. Though measures are taken, each one of you should understand the fact that there are still loopholes where these cyber criminals can dig and enter into your life. The only method is to limit the information you share through social media.For guidelines related to Whatsapp, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram and latest news regarding cyber security and related topics, please visit our website - www.securereading.com.

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