Facebook is a great tool to keep in touch with people, but it is not without its drawbacks. Like any other site, one wrong click can quickly take you places you don't want to be. Here are four ways to stay safe while Facebooking:
1) Watch Out for Scams - There are a multitude of scams on Facebook. Some promise to give you a free iPad or Xbox, some let you see the latest "shocking video", and some promise to change your profile or let you see who viewed you. They are all scams! No one is going to give you a free iPad for filling out a survey, and Facebook has been very clear that no app can change your profile or let you see who viewed it. And while there are plenty of videos available on Facebook, you probably don't need to install any updates in order to view them (especially if you are able to view videos on other sites). If you are unsure if a video is legitimate or a scam, try doing a search for the video's title. If you can't find it off of Facebook, it is probably a scam.
2) Don't Overpost - Do you completely trust every friend you have on Facebook? While I have plenty of friends I would trust, I also have many Facebook friends who are acquaintances from work or from my days in school. If your friends list is composed like mine and you post that you are leaving for a two week vacation tomorrow, the fact that your house will be vacant could end up in the wrong hands. (Even if someone will be there, your house-sitter might appreciate you not letting others think your house will be vacant.) On the same note, don't post pictures from your vacation or tag yourself at various landmarks until you have returned home.
3) Don't Use Your Credit Card - Facebook is free (and they say it always will be), but they offer the opportunity to purchase gift cards and other products through the site. Adding your credit card makes this process more convenient. However, connecting your credit card to your profile could leave you vulnerable if you forget to log out of your profile on a public computer. Plus, there is no guarantee that Facebook could not suffer a data breach. Unless you are using this feature regularly, it is best to keep your card number away from Facebook.
4) Address and Phone Number - As I mentioned earlier, not every Facebook friend is an actual friend. Therefore, not all of my Facebook friends need to be able to see my address and phone number. Anyone who needs either of these can always message me or get in touch with me some other way. Unless you tightly control your friends list, leave your address and phone number off and let those who need it ask for it.
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