Facebook: The worst security mistakes - and how criminals use them
Facebook is a good place to go for cybercriminals. Numerous Facebook users subconsciously commit security errors and thus offer a large target. In this practical tip, we show you the worst security errors and explain how you can avoid them.
Facebook: security bugs and cybercrime
Facebook has now established itself as a "big data pool" for online and offline criminals, as many users recklessly publish private information on Facebook. For cybercriminals, using the private information you have provided is usually an easy game to plan a hacker attack or break-in. Recently, the anti-virus specialists from the security provider "Kaspersky" compiled the five biggest security mistakes that are made by the users.
1. Security bug: publish complete biography
Do not disclose private information, such as your birthday or the birth of your child, in your chronicle on Facebook or at least restrict your information to your personal contacts. Because your birth dates or your mother's maiden name are used, among other things, by banks and payment services as an additional security query.
- Limit the visibility of your private information, such as your life events or dates of birth, to "Just me" or "Friends". Also, avoid making posts that your contacts write on your timeline publicly visible.
2. Security bug: public posts
If you post posts on Facebook publicly, any Facebook user can easily view the information you have provided. So make sure that your posts are really only for your friends.
- Avoid making posts that are written by your contacts on your chronicle publicly visible by reducing your information to "friends" under "Chronicle and tags". It is even better if you create lists for your contacts so that your contributions are aimed at the target group you want.
3. Security error: Unsafe password
Use a secure password for your Facebook account. If an unauthorized person gets your Facebook password, they have access to a wide range of personal information and all chat histories. In addition, the hacker can then post on your behalf or contact your friends.
- Use a secure password. Such a password should be unique and contain eight to 20 characters, upper and lower case, special characters and numbers. The best tips for a secure password can be found in our practical tip "What is a secure password?".
4. Security error: tell us where you are
Under no circumstances state your whereabouts in your contributions. Also avoid publicly announcing an upcoming vacation. Such information is a welcome invitation to burglars into your home or apartment.
- Of course, you can send vacation photos to your personal contacts within a friend list at any time. If your private photos are aimed at all your contacts and you use Facebook with an app for your smartphone, you should switch off the so-called geo-tagging for your published photos.
5. Security bug: Unknown friends
Only accept friend requests from Facebook users you know personally. As a "friend", a person unknown to you is given access to all information that you post in "friends only" mode. In addition, the added person can control when you are online and send you messages with malicious links or spam.
- As a Facebook user, only make friends with people you know personally and really well, so that your information is not misused.
The best tips for your privacy on Facebook
Read more useful practical tips that protect your privacy on Facebook:
- Facebook: Detect fake accounts
- Hide online status on Facebook
- Protect privacy in the Facbeook app
- Facebook: Protect data from third parties
- What does Facebook know about me? Request collected data