Are you worried about Facebook privacy data and fake news links when clicked infect your computer with viruses and malicious/add trackers that are out on Facebook to steal your private data? With the new year already started, it’s time to learn the tips to keep your Facebook private and secure.
What started as the first actual social media network for connecting with friends, family and meeting new people, so much more today. Facebook sparked a wildfire among the online world and brought about a digital revolution. Still, this freedom has come at the cost of privacy. To help you keep your private data away from prying eyes, here are the top 5 tips to keep your Facebook account private and secure.
1. The first step to keeping your Facebook privacy in check
To get started on your action to a more private Facebook account, start with options that Facebook gives to their end-user. On the top-right corner of the web page, where your Facebook username is displayed, tap on the arrow-shaped icon, from the drop-down list, click on “settings”.
In the Settings menu, you can find the “Privacy” tab on the right section. Under the Privacy Settings and Tools, you can see the following options under “Your activity”.
- Who can see your future posts?
- Review all your posts and thing’s you are tagged in.
- Limit the audience for posts you’ve shared with friends of friends or Public?
By clicking the “Edit”, “Use Activity Log” and “Limit Past Posts” button next to these options, you can change the settings according to your preferences,
Under “How people can find and contact you”, you will see options;
- Who can send you friend requests?
- Who can see your friends list?
- Who can look you up by using the email address you provided?
- who can look you up using the mobile number you provided?
- Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?
Next to each of these options, you can “edit” your prefered settings and have more control on your Facebook profile
2. Delete the unwanted apps that use Facebook privacy data
If you use your Facebook credentials to log into apps and games on your mobile device, all of your data is cross shared with those apps. While you may want to trust some apps with your data, removing the apps that hold your Facebook data is a smart step.
- From the Settings, click on the “Apps and Websites” or “Instant Games” option on the left-hand side column.
- A list of apps, websites you have integrated your Facebook profile will appear.
- Check on the boxes which you want to remove your Facebook profile, then click on the “Remove” button. And also change preferences.
3. Stop Facebook from tracking your data for advertising
The way Facebook makes most of its revenue is by targeting users with personalized advertisements, which aren’t as fun as they seem. If you do not want your data to help Zuckerberg make a quick buck, you can put an end to it without leaving your favourite social media website.
Head back to the same Settings option using the arrow-shaped icon on the navigation bar and scroll down to find the “Ads” tab near the bottom of the left section. You will be presented with options;
- Your Interests
- Advertisers and businesses
- Your information
- Ad settings
- Hide ad topics
- How Facebook ads work.
Here’s a brief of what you can control;
- Remove Interests which are curated by Facebook on the basis of pages you visit and view ads.
- View and hide advertisers who have popped an ad to you.
- Your personal details that Facebook uses to target audience based on your profile.
- You can change ad settings. This is very important as Facebook collects data from advertising partners and your online data.
- Hide ad topics.
- If you have the time, please do read “How Facebook ads work”.
4. Block stalkers and users who bother you
Stalking and Facebook are almost synonymous, and most of your private information is being leaked over by someone you once probably knew. Be it a crazy ex-girlfriend or just a not-so-friendly neighbour, blocking certain users on Facebook will do you good.
- From the Settings menu, click on “Blocking” option from the sidebar, you can not only block users but also block; messages, app invites, event invites, group invitations, app and pages by simply feeding in their details.
These top 4 tips to make your Facebook privacy and secure should help you enjoy your favourite social media portal without trading anything. If you have any other good privacy option for Facebook to share, do so in the comments section below.
