Worried about Facebook Privacy?

Facebook has 400 million users. That’s almost 6% of the entire global population. Facebook’s founder has made it clear at the latest developer conference, that Facebook aims to take over the entire Internet. They want to be the central hub where websites come to get users/traffic.  Facebook is bigger than the United States population. I can’t think of any other online business that has this much power over the personal information of 6% of the global population.

There has been a lot of concern in recent days with Facebook’s privacy practices. Recently the Wall Street Journal exposed how Facebook and Twitter send your user information when you click on any external link. This violates Facebook’s own privacy agreement.

Basically, information called a referrer is sent to the site you visit after clicking on a link or ad from Facebook or Twitter. Within that referrer is a reference to your profile screen name or number. This information is collected by analytics trackers such as Google Analytics.

No longer are you an anonymous user, but with this information they have your public profile information at their finger tips. This has huge implications if you come across an unscrupulous site. If your Facebook privacy settings are not locked down, an advertiser can find your full name (sometimes your hyphenated maiden name) and even your address on your PUBLIC profile.

Facebook has launched a new program as well that gives certain websites your information so they can customize their site just for you. You may not know it but you are automatically opted into this program with the latest Facebook update. It’s only a pilot program for now, but in the future, your information could potentially be shared with thousands of sites across the net just by visiting.

Here are a few ways I came up with to protect yourself and your information:

• Lock down your profile and delete sensitive personal information. Go to Account -> Privacy Settings. Take 30 minutes and learn this like the back of your hand.
• Uncheck the following Account->Privacy Settings->Websites &Applications -> Instant Personalization Pilot Program
• DON’T CLICK (yes I’m yelling) external links from Facebook
• Delete your address and phone number from your profile. Hide your email address from everyone including friends. People can send you a message through FB’s private messaging service.
• If you have a hyphenated maiden name in your FB name, change this immediately. Your kids will use your maiden name for passwords and credit reports and applications. By posting this on Facebook, you give identity thieves a leg up on stealing  your family’s identity. And yes, they can find your kids because you linked to them on the FB relationships section.
• Un-friend people you do not know. You might be giving a crazy person your home address, photos of your beautiful family, and detailed information about your schedule.
• GET RID OF APPS (yes, I’m yelling again). Rogue apps do not have to hack your account, you give them the key to your front door. Cutsie polls and quizzes can be disguised as data mining applications.
• When you are done checking out Facebook for the day, log out and clear your cookies and sessions on your browser. If a website has subscribed to Facebook’s Instant Personalization program, they won’t be able to identify you. You can also browse Facebook in “Incognito Mode” or “Private Browsing”  within your browser so that cookies and sessions will not be stored on your computer.
• Don’t click Facebook Like buttons on websites and blogs. This may seem like a nice feature, but in reality it is a way to track your web habits. You’re handing Facebook advertising metrics.  If you like a website, bookmark it in your browser.
• Don’t post when you’re leaving your house for family vacation.

If you are really worried about your privacy, delete your account and find alternative means to connect with your friends. Facebook is reckless with your information. Only you can be vigilant to protect yourself and your family.