Question: "Love, why are u posting a post about Facebook? You don't even religiously visit the site."
Answer: "Darlings, I will, until I'm done with these - how much privacy I need. Oh, and I will once I get my sexy phone. *evil laughs* "
Yeap. I would, soon enough. This is the umphteen times I'm checking on my privacy settings. And to those who is wondering why would I bother to even blog about it... It's a confusing drill. It was different when I last changed it, and definitely different with the recent buzz about Facebook's privacy settings going haywire. Fortunately for you, those who tumble into my blog (most of whom are due to Facebook's quirks, too), this are the simple things for you to take note of to ensure that most of your time in Facebook ain't seen to people you do not know of.
#1: Your top right hand bar > Account > Account Settings.
By far, this is the most easiest settings you should take note of. I mean, I know people who have not even touched the settings since they first joined the service.
Seriously? Would you like to subscribe a line, without reading the fine prints?
#2: Linked Accounts - Aye or Nay?
Let's face it people, this is at your own discretion. To me, as much as I have other accounts listed in the dropbox below, even with OpenID - I would refuse to link it to Facebook. As much as cloud computing is applauded, I think that once you're ignorant of an account and you link it up to the others, you're at a higher risk of jeopardising your privacy - worse, you might be hacked as well. Especially when your basic information are so similar, don't link it up, unless you're ready to link it up and am sure that all the accounts are safe and in your control.
#3: Check your account security as well. :D
#4: Custom Privacy?
Definitely. If you would die to customise your phone, desktop and ringtone, what's more to your privacy? It's up to you on how much you'd like to share it with. As for me, I have chosen Friends Only - Except Limited Profile.
Basically I've set up a group that I called Limited Profile. These are the people that I hardly know - basically they're acquaintances. Those with a "Hi, Bye" moments are usually placed in here.
I have moments where I log into Facebook and go... "Who cares?". Do some of them the good deed of uncluttering news - and do yourself good if you're interested of keeping things to yourself.
#5. Some might even be too popular that they would uncheck the "Friends can post on my Wall" box, keep their Mobile Phone and Address to themselves. Seriously... Why would you bother telling people where you stay huh?
Take note that these are basic information about yourselves that anyone else would have asked if they need anything personal. Never, never, never... share these information to any sites. Unless you live in the WWW.
#6. Sharing on Facebook
This page shows a number of things we all should take note of. How much do you really want to share? For me, I never share it with everyone. Introvert, you may say, but I'd rather be choosy.
My pictures are all whined for as I'm unsure about how much people would be able to see it - thus I am not willing to upload it to Facebook. Even so, I inform of them through the messages sent from Facebook.
Otherwise - Look at the bottom part of the page - Applications and Websites.
This is the most important part as most phishing occurs with the usage of applications.
#7: Remove Selected Applications and Websites.
I apologise to any true/good-natured applications that's found in my settings below. Nonetheless, there are applications that I do not use, or I have accidentally clicked on it, (or ehems, I actually thought about it) but have not used it since. I might not have used it at all.
Thus, ensure that you remove applications that you hardly or have never used in order to clean your account and be sure that your information is shared amongst applications you know existed. If you're more frequent in Facebook than I am, and there are just too many applications available, Select All and Remove Selected.
Why Delete Everything? You may lose some information (eg. Top Scores in certain games), but if there are just too many of the applications that you're unsure of (and well, you're lazy), I suggest a clean slate every now and then. :] If you find that too messy for your best scores and games you frequent, best is to browse through every application and do your own judgement.
#8: Game and Application Activity.
"Like Whot?" Seriously, I'd rather not let my friends see how good I am playing a certain game than to irritate them every now and then about how measly my scores are.
#10: Take note - Instant Personalization
Like #2, and if you don't have account for sites listed in the screenshot, just uncheck them.
#11: For anything else...
Parents?
Teens?
Teachers?
There's always a FAQ centre for the important people listed above. Give it a browse for anything that you might have missed out. :]
Hope it helps!
Note: By far, I am not a Facebook-maniac. I may make mistakes in making this post with regards to the privacy settings, but this is what I felt, as a basic user of Facebook, to take note of. I am creating awareness to the people who might take note of this humble blog with regards to Facebook, and their goodwill of allowing us ample customization on our privacy.
If there are any settings that you think we all should take note of or queries (that I hope I am able to answer), feel free to drop in comments below :]
