Like most social media platforms, postings on Facebook have increased with both credible and less than credible information. Because of this, activity from scammers, hackers and other unsavory people has also increased.
Don't misunderstand: I love Facebook and I'm guessing you do, too! It allows us to easily stay in touch with family and friends and, it can be a good source of information. HOWEVER, good judgment should always be used before interacting on FB and you should also check your Facebook settings following some of the reminders below.
1) Every time you post or interact on Facebook, you have shared some information about yourself - your likes, your age, where you live, etc.. The seemingly innocent requests to "post your graduation photo to share support for this year's seniors" or "take this quiz to see what type of personality you are", etc. can use information provided by you to access your Facebook account or other accounts or even target you with "unauthorized" advertisements. Have you ever thought about who created those requests or quizzes and why they might be posting? Do not assume it is just to help someone pass their time on Facebook; there is always always a reason.
2) Check your Facebook Security and Privacy settings. Review who you are sharing your posts with and who is allowed to see your posts. Take a few minutes to access your Settings and review them; this is something you should do occasionally. Do not allow other apps access to your Facebook account and do not use your Facebook account login to access any other apps when asked.
3) If a post contains unbelievable information and encourages you to "share with all of your friends," please don't. That language often indicates a hoax or a scam. Don't further it by sharing. Consider using snopes.com and factcheck.org to validate items in question. OR, simply copy and paste part of a post into your browser and often it will take you to a site discrediting the information.
4) Don't accept Friend requests from people you don't know. Also be cautious if you receive a Friend Request from someone you are already friends with; it could be an imposter wanting access to your data and your Friends list. Do not respond.
As with anything on the internet, we have to remain vigilant and cautious. We are truly never "safe" online, but there are certain things we can do to improve our security.
No comments:
Post a Comment