Simple clear advice in plain English

Workshop: Stay secure when using social networking sites

Facebook can be fun but beware of revealing too much information. Follow our protection plan

Social networking websites encourage friends and acquaintances to stay in touch and keep each other updated about their lives.

The sites often include shared games, quizzes and other fun activities such as tagging old photographs.

Facebook is one such site that has become extremely popular over the past year. It has picked up millions of members in a matter of months.

However, some people believe that Facebook compromises personal privacy, especially for participants with lots of friends.

Users sometimes share intimate details about their lives, so it is possible for friends or other users to use this information for identity theft.

Protecting against this means staying vigilant, not sharing too much information and using Facebook’s own privacy settings wisely.

Here's how to stay safe in Facebook.

Reader Comments

   

Add your comment

All fields must be completed. Your email address will not be displayed or used to send marketing messages.

All messages will be checked by moderators before appearing on the site.

See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Related articles

Great software giveaway illustration

Discover 30 free software programs

Sound too good to be true? We've found some programs that are so good we're amazed there is no price tag. We cast our eye over 30 of the best

340-f3-lp

Take control of your Facebook account privacy settings

Using Facebook can reveal your personal data to everyone on the social networking site – we explain how to keep it hidden

f-341-pc-slip-ups

How to avoid common PC mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, but some can be averted if you follow our advice

Question & Answer

Q.Why can't my browser find the website address I typed...

> Read the answer

Q.All updates have been downloaded, so why won't Windows...

> Read the answer

Q.How do I stop Windows 7 search?

> Read the answer

Best deals on the web

img

Apple MacBook Pro (MC724LL/A)

£999.99- Buy it now

img

Sony Vaio VPCF23P1E/B

£679.98- Buy it now

img

Samsung 300E5A-A01DX

£449.99- Buy it now

Great benefits for subscribers!

Poll

Which is your preferred web browser

Jargon Buster

Computing terms explained in plain English

VoIP

Voice over IP. The routing of voice conversations over the internet, which is cheaper than the telephone...

Great shopping deals from Computeractive