FightCyberstalking.org - Privacy Settings and Safety Tips for Socializing on Facebook

 

Facebook is a popular social networking site that is geared towards young adults but is very popular among businesses, entrepreneurs, and users who are ages 35 and up. For people who have fallen victim to a cyberstalker using Facebook.com may seem like a dream. Because victims will have to RISK putting themselves out there online, joining a social networking site online can seem like a far-fetched dream to many cyberstalking victims. This doesn't have to be the case. By using Facebook's privacy settings victims can use the social networking safely and can enjoy socializing with friends and family. In this article we will share a few privacy settings that cyberstalking victims can use within Facebook so that they're getting the maximum privacy.

• Getting Started - Editing Privacy Settings
• Editing Album Privacy Settings
• Basic Directory Information
• Applications, Games and Websites
• Editing Application Settings - Recently Used
• Editing Your Profile

 

 

Getting Started - Editing Privacy Settings

The first thing you'll want to do after you've signed up for a Facebook.com account is edit the privacy settings.

 

Once you've logged into Facebook.com click on "Account."

 

Next, click on "Privacy Settings."

 

You should now be on the "Choose Your Privacy Settings" page. Underneath the heading "Sharing on Facebook" click on the link "Customize settings."

 

On this page you'll need to edit:

• Things I share
• Things others share

• Contact information

 

Editing Things I share

Under "Things I share" set the following to show to friends only:

• Posts by me
• Family
• Relationships
• Interested in and looking for
• Bio and favorite quotations
• Website
• Religious and political views
• Birthday

 

Editing Things Others Share

Under "Things others share" set the following to show to friends only:

• Photos and videos I'm tagged in
• Can comment on posts
• Friends can post on my Wall
• Can see Wall posts by friends

If you don't feel comfortable with the settings suggested above you can always adjust the setting to show to "Only Me." To change the setting to "Only Me" click on "Custom" and then scroll down and select "Only Me."

 

Editing Contact Information

Under "Contact information" set the following to show to only you:

• Mobile phone
• Other phone
• Address
• IM screen name
• Your email address

 

To edit the privacy setting to show to you only, click on the arrow next to the padlock and scroll down to "Custom" and then scroll down and select "Only Me."

 

 

Editing Album Privacy Settings

 

Under the "Birthday" heading in the privacy settings page, click on the "Edit album privacy" link to edit your album privacy settings. Please note that you can't edit this setting until you've uploaded a profile photo of yourself or uploaded other photos to your Facebook account.

 

In the privacy photos page, edit the setting to show to "Friends Only."

 

Basic Directory Information

To edit your basic directory information privacy settings, go to the main privacy page by clicking on "Account" and selecting the "Privacy Settings" link.

 

 

On the main privacy settings page you'll see the heading "Basic Directory Information" click on the "View settings" link to edit your basic directory information.

 

The first thing you'll want to edit is the "Search for me on Facebook" setting. We suggest "Friends Only." If you choose everyone then the entire Facebook community will be able to search and locate your profile. When you feel more comfortable you can change the setting to show to everyone. Remember, you can always block a user!

 

The next setting you'll edit is "Send me friend requests." We suggest you set this to everyone. Remember, you don't have to confirm everyone. Note: select the setting you feel most comfortable with.

 

The next setting you'll edit is "Send me messages." We suggest you set this to "Friends Only." We suggest this setting as an extra precaution should you in the future decide to set your profile to show to everyone and forget that you had the "Send me messages" set to everyone.

 

The next setting you'll edit is "See my friend list." If you don't want your friends to see your friend list, select "Only Me." Note: select the setting you feel most comfortable with.

 

The next setting you'll edit is "See my current city and hometown." For maximum privacy and as an extra safety precaution, select "Only Me." Note: select the setting you feel most comfortable with.

 

The next setting you'll edit is "See my education and work." For maximum privacy and as an extra safety precaution, select "Friends Only." Note: select the setting you feel most comfortable with.

 

The next setting you'll edit is "See my interest and other pages." For maximum privacy and as an extra safety precaution, select "Friends Only." Note: select the setting you feel most comfortable with.

 

 

Applications, Games and Websites

To edit the applications, games and websites privacy settings, go to the privacy page by clicking on "Account" and selecting the "Privacy Settings" link.

 

 

Locate the heading "Applications and Websites" and click on the "Edit your settings" link.

Under "What you're using" you can turn off ALL applications if you would like by clicking on the "Turn off" link. Keep in mind if you do your friends won't be able to interact and share with you using applications and websites.

 

If you've left the applications setting on, we suggest you leave the "Game and application activity" to show to friends only.

If you've left the applications setting on, uncheck information you don't feel comfortable sharing in the "Info accessible through your friends" settings.

 

Under the "Instant personalization" setting do not enable instant personalization on partner websites.

 

An important setting you'll want to edit to your comfort level is the public search settings. If you DO NOT want your Facebook profile to be available in searches on and off Facebook, make sure the box is left unchecked.

 

Editing Application Settings - Recently Used

To edit the recently used applications, click on "Account" and click on the "Application Settings" link.

 

Under events, gifts, groups, links, notes, photos, and the video setting, set to show to your "Friends Only."

 

Editing Your Profile
 

Last but not least, you'll need to edit your profile information. Click on "Profile" to start editing your profile information. Share information you feel comfortable sharing with friends and family. If you intend to make new friends on the social networking site, make sure that you're not sharing too much information (e.g., birthdate, mother's maiden name, home address, phone number, etc.)

To make sure you're not sharing your birthdate in your profile, locate the heading "About Me" on your profile page and click on the "Edit" link.

 

Select in the drop down menu "Don't show my birthday in my profile."

 

Facebook Safety Tips

To socialize and navigate on the Facebook community safely, you'll want to:

• Avoid clicking on redirect links from users you don't trust. Usually redirect links are from spammers who will attempt to redirect you to a virus! Make sure you only click on links from users you know and trust.
• Be extremely cautious when it comes to revealing any personal information publically, such as your email address, phone number, home address, and your work address.
• Change your Facebook password often and don't use the same password on any other websites.
• As an extra precaution you can use RoboForm to login, store, and create passwords securely for you.
• Avoid using identifying landmarks in your photos such as your workplace, school names, etc.
• Avoid adding applications. Applications are created from third-party services, and because of that reason alone, you don't fully know what information these third-party services are collecting from you. 
• Always make sure you're visiting the real Facebook.com. Check the URL in your browser & make sure it begins with http://www.facebook.com.
• If your Facebook.com account has been hacked change the password right away. If your Facebook.com account has been hacked AND you can't login with your email anymore, contact Facebook immediately.