Facebook Security

Facebook is popular for many people all for different reasons. I have two facebook accounts. A personal account where my family and friends reside and my business account where my friends, clients and those who are just browsing can find me.

My personal account is tied down as tight as I can. The only people who can view my account information are my friends (the people you've given permission to) can see my stuff. I don't allow friends of friends - It not that I don't trust my friends and family, it's that I don't trust those that might hack into an account and I want the least amount of access to my data. I have a lot of family and friends. If you have 100 people you connect to and you allow friends of friends, then you are looking at a minimum of 1000 people who have access to your data. It's a little like going to a store and posting your information so everyone can see it. Not quite that bad, networking is great, but on my personal side, I don't know that I need to network. I have quite a full life there.

My business account is open to the public. It's related to my business and are things that I would allow anyone to know. At some point you have to value privacy. It's not that I have a problem with honesty, it's that I have an issue with safety. I don't want my grandchildren to be one of those that you can't find. What you can find on my business account you can also find on my website, my blog, etc.

Facebook is upgrading their security so here's an article that will help you know what you need to know. http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2010/01/20/20readwriteweb-the-3-facebook-settings-every-user-should-c-29287.html?src=me&ref=technology

Some of the other things you want to think about just for safety reasons are:

Talk about your vacation after you get back, not before. Again, not because you don't trust your friends, but because it's those outside of the circle that my not need to know that.

Don't post something that would help someone steal your identity. (All of your birth information, ssn, etc) We all love birthday cards, so just don't put your year on facebook. A simple thing, but without it someone that might be looking for an easy target, will leave you alone, as they don't have all the information.

Children's birthdays should be the same way.

Just use your common sense.