One in a series of posts on Facebook Security and Privacy

If you use Facebook, you should take the time to review your privacy settings and be deliberate about what details you share with the public (as distinct from just your friends). Setting this appropriately can help prevent annoying people from creating fake Facebook accounts that have the same profile photo and name as you, and that then try to trick all your Facebook contacts into become friends with them.

There’s no one answer to setting privacy settings. Some people might be quite happy to share everything with everyone whereas others will prefer to keep things strictly between friends. The important thing is that you understand and are comfortable with what you’re sharing to whom.

To review your general privacy settings

  1. Click on the drop-down menu on the top right in Facebook in your web browser
  2. Click Settings
  3. On the left, click Privacy
  4. Review the settings and change to your preference if necessary.

To restrict who can see your profile picture

  1. Go to your Facebook profile (click on your name in the top menu bar in Facebook in your web browser)
  2. Click on your profile photo
  3. To the right of the photo, click on the icon next to the date Reviewing profile picture sharing settings
  4. Review the current setting and change to your preference if necessary. Choosing a non-public option will reduce the risk of someone copying your profile photo. On the other hand it will make it harder for potential friends to find you.

To restrict who can see your friends

  1. Go to your Facebook profile
  2. Click on Friends
  3. Click on the ‘Pencil’ icon (Manage)
  4. Click Edit Privacy Facebook Friend Privacy
  5. Review the current settings. Choosing a non-public option will reduce the risk of someone pretending to be you trying to contact all your friends.

Don’t just accept the defaults, be deliberate and intentional about exactly how much and to who you are sharing your Facebook information with.