Protecting your Personal Information on Facebook

Social media is a rapidly growing phenomenon in our personal and business lives.  Billions of people use social networks every day, which makes the sites chocked full of information that makes commercial organizations and identity thieves salivate. Mark Zuckerberg has been on a publicity kick since the Academy Award nominated film “The Social Network” painted him in a bad light. Although publicists have repeatedly stated Facebook’s commitment to protecting user information, it does not stop the detrimental transfer of highly personal data.

 The San Jose Mercury News reported that Sophos, an Internet security company, created a false Facebook profile using the alias “Freddie Staur” (a Sophos employee’s desk toy) and was able to acquire 87  “friends” after contacting only 200 profiles.  Sophos reportedly attained extremely personal data from nearly forty percent of the unknowing friends, which demonstrates the vulnerability of information shared on Facebook.

Sophos Facebook ID Probe findings:

• 87 of the 200 Facebook users contacted responded to Freddi, with 82 leaking personal information (41% of those approached)
• 72% of respondents divulged one or more email address
• 84% of respondents listed their full date of birth
• 87% of respondents provided details about their education or workplace
• 78% of respondents listed their current address or location
• 23% of respondents listed their current phone number
• 26% of respondents provided their instant messaging screenname

With users as young as ten and old as ninety, there is a justified fear some people might be preyed upon by identify thieves or unethical businesses. The news is ripe with controversies surrounding prisoners and sex offenders using Facebook and the debate swells around Freedom of Information Act.  Many companies are taking advantage of information on these sites and there is a discussion as to whether it is positive or negative for the end user.  Some people like the inevitable sidebar ads to reflect their personal information. For example, if you “Like” a band then a sidebar ad would alert you when the artist is preforming at a local venue. But an advertiser targeting young users always entails controversy.

 Technology blogger Matt Singley gave these tips on changing your privacy settings:

• Log into your Facebook account and go to the privacy settings, which are under Account–>Privacy Settings–>Applications and Websites (you can find this in the top right corner).
• You need to click “Edit Setting”, which will take you to another page.  If you wish to opt out, uncheck the box at the bottom of this page, it will say “Allow select partners to instantly personalize their features with my public information when I first arrive on their websites”
• Click back one page to Privacy Settings–>Applications and you will see a section called “What Your Friends Share About You”. Click “Edit Settings”.  Once inside, uncheck every box you see, all 16 of them! Yes, sixteen. Don’t forget to click “Save Changes” at the bottom.
• While you’re at it, go to Account–>Privacy Settings–> Profile Information and make sure that everything is set to “Only Friends”.  Anything that you have set to “Everyone” is open to be viewed by those outside of your immediate network of friends.

 Ultimately, we must understand Facebook is not a requirement of life, we choose to join the site so we must understand the risks involved.