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There
are certain key things one may have to think twice about before putting
them on Facebook due to security/privacy issues, and this article will
reveal the things you might want to delete from your account.
From birthdays and credit card details to phone numbers, here are
10 important things you may have consider deleting to protect yourself
and keep your private life private.
1. Your birthday
Making your birthday accessible comes with some benefits. For
instance, it allows you not to miss annual birthday wishes from friends.
However, keeping your date of birth accessible may be dangerous as the
date actually forms one part of a puzzle alongside your name and address
which can allow scammers to access your bank account and other personal
details.
2. Your phone number
While putting your phone number on your Facebook profile can make
it easy for your friends to reach you or look you up, it also comes with
security risk. Keeping your phone number may lead to unwanted calls and
contact from complete strangers which can put your security at risk.
3. Credit card details
Putting your credit card details online is highly unnecessary.
However, some put their card details online saying it is the most
convenient way for them to save it and easily access it in case of
emergency use. In the light of daunting security challenges the social
media platforms are battling with now, you may need to reconsider your
decision.
Keep everything connected to your credit card details- the name on
the card, the number, the security number, date of expiry or even the
associated account number, etc. off social media.
4. Your relationship status
Surely, it is always awesome and tempting to tell friends about
your new relationship. However, you should also remember that it is hard
to say it is over. And, it is even harder to remove your relationship
status from social media without attracting unwanted comments that could
worsen the experience for you.
5. Consider narrowing your friends list
According to psychology professor Rosie Dunbar, a study of over
3,000 Facebook users found that out of their friends, 4.1 were
dependable while 13.6 showed sympathy during times of an "emotional
crisis".
As such, it may be more beneficial to cut out the Facebook "friends" who are not actually real life friends.
6. Photographs of young children and family members
Respect the privacy of your friends and family members. Do not put
anything that can jeorpardise their security or compromise their privacy
online. In the digital age, there is very little that can be deleted
from the internet once it is posted. Thus, ask yourself if your child or
young family member would appreciate seeing their toddler pictures
online when they grow up.
7. Your child’s school details
Giving access to your child's location or the location of a minor
to strangers online is dangerous as you might be giving the information
to possible predators.
8. Your boss
You may need to think twice before adding your boss on social
media. While you might get along well with your boss in the office,
allowing him/her to be privy to personal aspects of your life may be
risky, especially if you are the type that usually share status about
your workplace.
9. Location services
Putting your location setting on is risky. It exposes you to unnecessary danger.
Location services are available through Android and iPhones, and
allow the app to track your whereabouts through your mobile phone.
It has been estimated that over 500 million Facebook users accessed
the platform through their phone alone - meaning the same number of
people are able to broadcast their precise location online and possibly
allowing anyone to know where they are.
10. Tagging your location
Similarly, by tagging your location at home, at work or at any
other locations personal to you, you are actually disclosing those
addresses online. So, consider your security before ‘checking in’ at the
office or at the mart.
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