What the Tech: Why your Facebook account needs some cleaning up
By JAMIE TUCKER Consumer Technology Reporter
Spring cleaning isn’t just about dust bunnies and getting organized. The online spaces you spend most of your time need some attention too.
If you find yourself spending hours on Facebook every day, it’s essential to ensure your privacy and safeguard against unwanted calls and messages. Let’s dive into some practical steps to clean up your Facebook account and protect your personal information.
1. Start with Privacy Checkup
Facebook provides a handy tool called Privacy Checkup. It’s your first line of defense against privacy breaches. Here’s how to use it:
● Go to your Facebook settings.
● Look for the Privacy Checkup option.
● Review and adjust your privacy settings as needed.
● Pay special attention to posts, photos, and location information. Remember that anything you post publicly can be seen by anyone, even those not on Facebook.
2. Control Who Sees Your Posts
Make your posts visible only to friends or friends of friends. Here’s how:
● When posting, choose the audience (e.g., Friends, Friends of Friends, Only Me).
● Keep your phone number private. Go to your profile settings and ensure that your phone number is visible only to you. This step can reduce unwanted robocalls.
3. Audit Your Friends List
Take a closer look at your friends:
● Unfriend anyone you don’t know personally.
● Even if you have mutual friends, be cautious. Many fake or spam accounts exist.
● Remember that declining a friend request doesn’t prevent someone from following your public posts.
4. Block Suspicious Followers
Check your followers:
● Go to your profile page.
● Click on Followers.
● If you see unfamiliar names with no information or posts, block them. Scammers won’t receive notifications when you post.
5. Clean Up Groups and Pages
Review the groups and pages you follow:
● Unsubscribe or leave any groups or pages you haven’t engaged within the past year.
● Reducing your group and page subscriptions minimizes the exposure of your information.
6. Revisit Apps and Websites Linked to Facebook
Apps and websites connected to your Facebook login have access to your data:
● Go to your Facebook settings.
● Look for Apps and Websites.
● Review the list and remove any unnecessary or unused connections.
● Be mindful of what information you’re sharing with third-party apps.
7. Think About Your Digital Footprint
Consider what Facebook knows about you:
● Reflect on the data you’ve shared.
● Be cautious about sharing personal details.
● Remember that scammers thrive on stolen information.
By following these steps, you’ll strengthen your Facebook privacy and make it harder for scammers to compromise your account. Happy spring cleaning!
