How to set your Facebook account safety?
Written: 14 Feb 2013 - Updated: 30 June 2013
According to Bkav Malware Researchers, Facebook is being the attack aim of hackers.
“One of the methods spreading virus is faking YouTube’s plugin but in fact it is a virus. Users is scammed to download the plugin to be able to see the video clip, but in fact the virus will be spread via victim’s friends list. The content of videos is about sensitive story of famous singers, actors or football players as Rihanna, Emma Watson, Ronaldo…” - said Bkav.
avast! experts also warn about Facebook: “SCAM ALERT: Facebook is not the best place to receive celebrity news and gossip! Scammers use fake deaths and sensational stories and videos to entice users to click a link. Many times the links are used to spread spam or can lead to malware. Do not click on stories like these. Please warn your friends.” (avast Fanpage)
Joining Facebook social network, beside its good factors, there are potential vulnerabilities which allow hackers do harm to Facebook users.
Therefore, Facebook users must aware of vulnerabilities when surfing Facebook, especially of your Facebook account. This post instructs how to set your Facebook account safety.
Tip 1. Be aware of strange links and posts with sensitive contents.
It is because these links may contain virus. If you really need to open the link but you are not sure about its safe, ask an expert for help.
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8158/auyg.jpg
Image: Virus “The horrible truth about 3 girls on 2000 VND”, with its sensitive title scam users clicking on the link. Virus will spread as soon as you open the link.
Tip 2. Filter Friends list usually
It is necessary to filter you Friends list and Unfriend strangers from the one. Being friend with strangers may cause your personal information stolen and it may make you as the aim of hackers.
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Image: Unfriend with unknown people to increase the security.
Tip 3. Be aware when using Facebook apps
Tip 3.1. You should be careful when clicking “Like” button or using any apps or Fanpages; then read carefully the permission of these apps. Poisonous apps will be able to access your sensitive information as: birthday, phone number, friends list, etc. Specially, some apps will automatically post sex images on your timeline and spread throughout your friends.
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Image: Take a look at using Facebook apps.
Tip 3.2. Remove inappropriate Facebook apps as the instruction that follow:
Step 1: Go to Privacy Settings then select Apps.
Step 2: Click on the app which you want to remove and then click on Remove.
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Image: Remove an inappropriate Facebook app.
Tip 4. Set Facebook account security settings.
Tip 4.1. Set Privacy Settings and Tools.
It is recommended to choose Who can see your future posts?, Review all your posts and things you’re tagged in, etc. as Friends to allow you friends see your posts only.
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Image: Set the Privacy Settings and Tools.
Tip 4.2. Modify security settings.
It is recommended to use https:// instead of http://.
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Image: Modify Security Settings.
Tip 4.3. Set the Security Code.
Facebook provides Security Code feature. By using this one, in case the Facebook account is being accessed from another computer, Facebook will require to type your defined Security Code. It helps you to protect your account against hackers.
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Image: Set the Security Code.
Tip 4.4. Set the Timeline and Tagging Settings.
You should set the following items: Who can add things to my timeline?, Who can see things on my timeline?, etc. as Friends. It keeps your personal information private.
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Image: Modify the Timeline and Tagging Settings.
Tip 5. Usually follow internet security news
It is recommended to follow internet security news from well-known internet security vendors. These news provide you latest spreading of virus, so you can protect yourself.
You may follow latest news from Bkav Corporation website at: http://www.bkav.com/.
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Image: An internet security news on Bkav website.
In addition, avast! blog is a best place to update latest news about internet security. You may follow from https://blog.avast.com.
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/3134/swwr.png
Image: An internet security news on avast! blog.
Tran Thanh Binh
Malware Researcher