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Top 10 Essential Privacy Settings on Facebook: How to Secure Your Profile

Adjusting Who Can See Your Posts

Controlling the visibility of your Facebook posts is crucial for maintaining privacy and managing your online presence. Let’s explore how to adjust settings for both future and past posts.

Privacy Settings for Future Posts

To set the default audience for your new posts:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Privacy”
  3. Under “Your Activity,” find “Who can see your future posts?”
  4. Click “Edit” and choose from the following options:
  • Public: Anyone on or off Facebook
  • Friends: Only your Facebook friends
  • Friends except…: All friends, except those you exclude
  • Specific friends: Only the friends you choose
  • Only me: Only visible to you
  • Custom: Create a custom list of people who can see your posts

Limiting the Audience for Past Posts

To restrict the visibility of your previous posts:

  1. Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Privacy”
  3. Find “Limit Past Posts” under “Your Activity”
  4. Click “Limit Past Posts” and confirm your choice

Note: This action changes all past public posts to “Friends” only. It doesn’t affect posts shared with a custom audience or those you’re tagged in.

Action Effect
Limit Past Posts Changes all public posts to “Friends” only
Individual Post Privacy Remains unchanged for custom audience posts
Tagged Posts Unaffected by this setting

Managing Your Profile Information Visibility

Adjusting Profile Visibility

To control who can see your personal information:

  1. Go to your profile and click “About”
  2. For each section (e.g., Work and Education, Places You’ve Lived), click the audience selector icon
  3. Choose the appropriate privacy setting for each piece of information
Information Type Recommended Visibility
Phone Number Friends or Only Me
Email Address Friends or Only Me
Birthday Friends
Work History Friends or Public (if professional networking is desired)
Education Friends or Public

Using the “View As” Feature

The “View As” feature allows you to see how your profile appears to others:

  1. Go to your profile
  2. Click the three dots next to “Add to Story”
  3. Select “View As”
  4. Toggle between “Public” and specific friends to see different views

Use this feature to:

  • Identify overshared information
  • Ensure professional contacts see appropriate content
  • Verify that sensitive information is hidden from the public

Securing Your Facebook Account

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your account:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Security and Login”
  3. Scroll to “Two-Factor Authentication” and click “Edit”
  4. Choose your preferred 2FA method:

    • Text message (SMS)
    • Authentication app
    • Security key

Pros of using an authentication app:

  • Works without cellular service
  • More secure than SMS
  • Generates codes offline

Monitoring Login Alerts and Active Sessions

Set up login alerts:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click “Security and Login”
  3. Under “Setting Up Extra Security,” find “Get alerts about unrecognized logins”
  4. Choose how you want to receive alerts (notification, email, or both)

Review active sessions:

  1. In “Security and Login,” scroll to “Where You’re Logged In”
  2. Review the list of devices and locations
  3. Click “Log Out of All Sessions” if you spot any suspicious activity

Active Session Management Checklist:

  • Review login locations regularly
  • Check device types for unfamiliar entries
  • Log out of unused or unrecognized sessions
  • Update password if suspicious activity is detected

Controlling Who Can Find You on Facebook

Adjusting Search Engine Visibility

To prevent search engines from linking to your profile:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Privacy”
  3. Scroll to “How people find and contact you”
  4. Find “Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?”
  5. Click “Edit” and uncheck the box

Managing Friend Requests and Message Permissions

Control who can send you friend requests:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Privacy”
  3. Under “How people find and contact you,” find “Who can send you friend requests?”
  4. Choose between “Everyone” or “Friends of Friends”

Manage message permissions:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Privacy”
  3. Find “Who can contact me” section
  4. Adjust “Who can contact me” to “Friends” or “Friends of Friends”

Privacy-Enhancing Message Settings:

  • Filter messages from people you’re not connected to
  • Block messages from specific individuals or groups
  • Limit message requests to friends of friends

Controlling Tagging and Timeline Visibility

Reviewing Tags Before They Appear on Your Timeline

Enable tag review:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Profile and Tagging”
  3. Find “Review tags people add to your posts before the tags appear on Facebook?”
  4. Click “Edit” and turn on tag review

Limiting Who Can Post on Your Timeline

Restrict posting permissions:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Profile and Tagging”
  3. Find “Who can post on your timeline?”
  4. Choose between “Friends” or “Only Me”

Timeline Control Options:

  • Friends: Allow only friends to post
  • Only Me: Prevent anyone from posting directly to your timeline
  • Review posts: Enable review for posts you’re tagged in before they appear on your timeline

Managing Ad Preferences and Data Sharing

Customizing Ad Preferences

Adjust your ad settings:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Ads”
  3. Review and adjust the following sections:

    • Ad topics
    • Ad settings
    • Advertisers
Ad Setting Description Recommended Action
Ad topics Topics used to show you ads Remove sensitive or irrelevant topics
Data used for ads How your information is used for ad targeting Limit data usage where possible
Audience-based advertising Ads based on customer lists Opt-out if desired

Limiting Off-Facebook Activity Tracking

Manage off-Facebook activity:

  1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
  2. Click on “Your Facebook Information”
  3. Select “Off-Facebook Activity”
  4. Review connected apps and websites
  5. Click “Clear History” to remove this data
  6. Toggle “Future Off-Facebook Activity” to prevent future tracking

Benefits of Managing Off-Facebook Activity:

  • Reduced targeted advertising
  • Increased privacy from third-party data collection
  • More control over your digital footprint

Blocking and Unfriending for Enhanced Privacy

Blocking Users

To block someone:

  1. Go to the person’s profile
  2. Click the three dots next to “Message”
  3. Select “Block”
  4. Confirm your decision

Reasons to Consider Blocking:

  • Persistent harassment or unwanted contact
  • Protecting yourself from abusive individuals
  • Maintaining professional boundaries
  • Avoiding content from specific users

Regularly Reviewing and Managing Your Friend List

Periodically audit your friend list:

  1. Go to your Friends list
  2. Review connections and consider:

    • Unfriending those you no longer interact with
    • Unfollowing users whose content you don’t want to see
    • Adding close friends to a “Close Friends” list for increased sharing

Tips for a Secure Friend Network:

  • Regularly review friend requests before accepting
  • Use friend lists to organize contacts and control post visibility
  • Consider the “Take a Break” feature for temporary distance from specific connections
  • Utilize the “Restricted” list for contacts you want to limit access to your profile

By implementing these top 10 essential privacy settings, you can significantly enhance the security of your Facebook profile. Remember to review these settings periodically, as Facebook may update its privacy features. Stay informed about new privacy options and always err on the side of caution when sharing personal information online.