A Guide to Staying Safe on Facebook

Social media is transforming our world by making it more open and connected. It allows people to share the most important parts of their lives with family, friends, and communities, bridging distances and bringing us closer together.

Enhancing Facebook Account Security: Your First Line of Defense

To keep your Facebook account safe, it's crucial to select strong security settings and stay informed about potential threats. Here are some tips to enhance your account's security:

Protect Your Password

Your password should be easy for you to remember but hard for someone else to guess. Here’s how to make it secure:

• Use a unique password: Your Facebook password should be different from the ones you use for other accounts like email or banking.
• Avoid common words: Don’t use dictionary words or simple phrases that can be easily cracked by software.
• Test your password strength: Visit https://password.kaspersky.com to check your password's strength.

Get Alerts About Unauthorized Logins

Stay vigilant by enabling notifications for unrecognized logins. Facebook will notify you if someone tries to access your account from a new device or browser. Learn more at Login Notifications.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a special code each time you log in from a new device. Turn on 2FA by visiting https://accountscenter.facebook.com/password_and_security/two_factor.

Managing Your Privacy Settings: Your Second Line of Defense

Keeping your Facebook account safe is not just about security—it’s also about privacy. By managing your privacy settings, you can control who sees your posts, photos, and personal information.

Select Your Audience

Use the audience selector tool to choose who can see what you share. Be specific with the Custom option and remember that when posting on someone else’s Timeline, they control the audience. Learn more at AudienceSelector.

Review and Approve Tags

Enable tag review to approve or dismiss tags before they appear on your Timeline. This helps you control what content is associated with your profile. Visit Review tags that people add to your Facebook posts for more info.

Control Search Engine Links

Adjust your privacy settings to prevent search engines from linking to your profile. Some public information might still appear in search results. Find out more at Control who can find you

Manage Location Privacy

Be cautious when sharing your location and control who can see it. Learn more at fb.me/LocationPrivacy.

Use the View As Feature

See what your profile looks like to others by using the View As tool. For details, visit fb.me/ViewAs.

Using Trusted Computers: Secure Your Access

When accessing your Facebook account, it's crucial to use trusted computers to safeguard your information. Here’s how to ensure secure access:

• Log in Only on Trusted Computers: Avoid logging in on unfamiliar or public computers to prevent potential security breaches. Hackers often use keyloggers on such systems to capture passwords.
• Request a One-Time Password: In regions where available, request a one-time password from Facebook by sending a text message to 32665 (or check the appropriate number for your region). This temporary passcode, sent to your linked mobile phone, can be used to safely log in on untrusted devices.
• Change Passwords Promptly: If you must use an untrusted computer and can't obtain a one-time password, change your Facebook password immediately upon returning to your own secure device. This step prevents unauthorized access to your account.
• Avoid "Remember Password" Features: When logging in on public or shared computers, decline the option to save your password. Choosing "Not Now" prevents others from accessing your account on that device.

Checking Your Login Activity: Stay Informed and Secure

Regularly monitoring your login activity on Facebook helps ensure your account's security. Here’s how to check and manage your login sessions:

• Accessing via Computer:
  1. Visit Facebook Security Settings.
  2. Locate the "Where You're Logged In" section at the top.
  3. Click "See more" to expand the list, if available.
  4. To log out of a session, click the three vertical dots next to the session and select "Log Out." If you suspect unauthorized access (hacking), choose "Not You?" and follow the prompts.
  5. For comprehensive security, click "Log Out of All Sessions" to sign out from all devices.
• Using a Phone or Tablet:
  1. Open the Facebook app and tap the menu (three horizontal lines).
  2. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login.
  3. Find the list of currently signed-in locations.
  4. Tap "See all" if needed to view all sessions.
  5. To log out, tap the three vertical dots next to the session and select "Log Out." If you suspect unauthorized access, tap "Not You?" and follow the instructions to secure your account.

Reporting Suspicious Activity: Keeping Facebook Safe

It’s important to report any questionable posts, profiles, or messages on Facebook to maintain a safe environment. Here’s how to report and handle suspicious activity:

• Reporting a Profile:
  • Visit the profile you want to report.
  • Click or tap the three horizontal dots (…) near the top of their profile.
  • Select "Find Support or Report Profile" and follow the instructions on-screen.
• Reporting a Problematic Post:
  • Navigate to the post you wish to report.
  • Click or tap the three horizontal dots (…) near the top of the post.
  • Select "Find Support or Report Post" and follow the instructions on-screen.
• Reporting a Message:
  • Open the message in Facebook or Messenger on your phone or tablet.
  • Click the gear icon or tap the person's name.
  • Select "Something's Wrong" and follow the on-screen instructions.

Blocking Suspicious Individuals: Preventing Unauthorized Access

If you suspect someone may be attempting to hack you or is harassing you on Facebook, it’s best to block them:

• Blocking Someone:
  • Visit the profile of the person you want to block.
  • Click or tap the three dots at the top of their profile.
  • Select "Block" and follow the on-screen instructions.

Blocking ensures the person is removed from your friends list and trusted contacts, and prevents them from interacting with you further without your knowledge. This action helps maintain your privacy and security on Facebook.

Additional Tips for Staying Safe

Don't Accept Friend Requests from People You Don't Know

• Scammers may create fake accounts to friend people on Facebook.
• Becoming friends with scammers on Facebook might allow them to spam your timeline, tag you in posts, and send you malicious messages.

Never Click Suspicious Links

• This includes links on Facebook (e.g., posts), in emails, or texts.
• Meta will never ask you for your password in an email.
• If you suspect that a link on Facebook is suspicious, report it.

Watch Out for Malicious Software

• Malicious software can cause damage to a computer, server, or computer network.
• Learn the signs of an infected computer or device and how to remove malicious software.
• Keep your web browser up to date and remove suspicious applications or browser add-ons.

By following these tips, you can ensure your Facebook account remains secure and your personal information stays private. Stay safe and enjoy connecting with your friends and family on Facebook!