Enhance your Facebook settings

Facebook users:   There are settings you should enable or modify to protect your security.  The steps below were developed on a Windows 10 computer, they may not work as shown from a cell phone, Mac computer or other device.


1.  Adjust the Facebook privacy setting  so you know who can see what you post: 
        a.  Open Facebook.
        b.  Click "Settings".  Click the down arrow then select "Settings" as shown below:  

        c.   Click "Privacy" from the menu on the left hand side of the page.
        d.   Select the "Who can see my stuff?" section.
        e.    Adjust settings.  Evaluate each question then use the settings that you are comfortable with .  My recommendations follow:

2.  Adjust your Facebook security settings in the Security Settings section. Open Facebook and click Settings (see steps 1&2 above).  Click "Security" from the left hand column.  There are four settings to review and potentially modify.

         a.  Automatically notify you when your account is logged into.  This is as good as it gets!  You will be alerted when your Facebook account is accessed from a *new* device or web browser.  
                   1.  Click "Login Alerts".  Click Get Notifications and set email alerts to go to your email address(es).  Be sure the email address(es) are correct before clicking Save.

        b.  Review the devices that are currently logged into your Facebook account to delete any unrecognized Facebook sessions:

                   1.  From the Security Settings page click Where You're logged In. 

                   2.  Click "End Activity" from any connection you're not familiar with.  This option shows city and state where the session was last used to assist you in finding an unauthorized log-in.  
                   3.  Click close.
        c.  Allow a friend to help you get back into Facebook.   Consider adding friends in the Your Trusted Contacts who can help you get back into Facebook if you're ever locked out.   Click the link and add appropriate email addresses.  Click Save.

        d.  Set Facebook to require two-factor authentication.  What is two-factor authentication?   This is one time process that involves proving that you are who you say you are before you can access your account.   This is done the first time that you log into your account on each device or browser.  It's only "hard" one time and is another way to prevent others from accessing your Facebook account.

               1..  Click "Edit" in the Two-Factor Authentication option.

              2.  Turn on Two Factor Authentication.                3.  Enter the telephone number for your cell phone.  Facebook will send a code to your cell phone any time you need to log into Facebook from a new device or browser.

These few changes will take a little time but will likely save you from having your problems with your Facebook account.  You're welcome.

Cloning

Dolly the cloned sheep circa 1996

Evil doers "clone" Facebook accounts to trick your friends into giving them money or information.   What is cloning?  It's when someone copies your Facebook identity (your name, your picture and the list of all your Facebook friends) and creates a new Facebook account with your name and picture.  Next  they send a new friend request to your existing Facebook friends. 

You can prevent your account from being cloned.  The steps below provide you the information you need to protect your account.  Note:  the instructions below were created in 2017 on a Windows 10 PC.  Using these instructions from a cell phone, Mac or other device likely won't work as shown; use your favorite search engine (google, bing, etc.) to search for steps on your specific device.

1.  Make your facebook account profile picture private.  Anyone can download your profile picture unless you protect it.  Evil doers use your unprotected profile picture to create a new account with your likeness.  Here's how to protect your profile picture:
     a.  Open Facebook.
     b.  Click on your Profile Picture to open your profile.

     c.  Below your name you will see a date, person symbol and a down arrow.  Click the down arrow:

     d.  Change from Public to "Only Me" or "Friends".  Selecting Only Me is the ultimate in protection, others will not be able to comment on your profile picture or download it.  Selecting Friends will allow anyone on your Facebook friend list to comment and/or download your profile picture.   (Verify the check is in front of Only Me or Friends as consistent with your level of comfort)

      e.  Repeat the process for all your profile pictures by scrolling through every one of them and changing the privacy setting for each picture.

      f.  Here's a nice tutorial if you need more details:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKpRpA_reTw

2.  Protect the privacy of your Facebook friend list.
       a.  Open Facebook.
       b.  Open your profile  (Click on your name as shown below).

       c.  When your profile opens click "Friends" near the top of the page:

       d.  Click the pencil icon as shown below then click "Edit Privacy":

        e.  Modify the privacy of your Friends list.  "Only Me" prevents anyone from seeing your list of Friends.  Selecting "Friends" allows anyone who is your Facebook friend to see your list.  Select the option that you're comfortable with:

That was easy!