Protect Your Facebook

You are probably well aware that Facebook changed its format back in December, but one thing you may not know is how these changes have affected the privacy of the information you wish to share on Facebook. Some of you may remember the dialog box explaining the recommended setting changes that appeared on the Facebook homepage, but many may not remember what you were actually agreeing to?

Here is where the “red flag” is raised. There are many who fear that users agreed to the recommended changes without really understanding how the changes affect their privacy of information. According to an article in the New York Times, by agreeing to the changes, “you inadvertently gave Facebook the right to publicize your private information including status updates, photos, and shared links” to literally EVERYONE.

If you are reading this and worrying that your private information will come across the eyes of the wrong readers, don’t freak out just yet because here is how you can change these settings to protect your information:

1. From your Profile page, hover your mouse over the Settings menu at the top right and click "Privacy Settings" from the list that appears.
2. Click "Profile Information" from the list of choices on the next page.
3. Scroll down to the setting "Posts by Me." This encompasses anything you post, including status updates, links, notes, photos, and videos.
4. Change this setting using the drop-down box on the right. We recommend the "Only Friends" setting to ensure that only those people you've specifically added as a friend on the network can see the things you post.

Now that you are aware of how these changes affect who can view the information you post, make sure that the next time you log onto Facebook you check to make sure you are protected.

If you would like to read the complete article from the New York Times on how to protect your privacy on Facebook, click here.


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member, Amanda Kaster.