Don’t Let the Facebook Hackers Get Ya!

Feb 3, 2011 by

Do you like to take your laptop out with you when you hit up free wifi at places like Starbucks or Borders? I do this all the time. I love free wifi no matter where it is, and being the social media addict I am, I ALWAYS log into Facebook while I’m out.

I’ve known there was a risk to entering passwords on an open wireless network which would bother me a little while I browsed. I’m not smart enough to know how to hack anybody (nor would I hack them even if I did) but people get hacked this way all the time. I just hoped for the best, and proceeded to browse Facebook despite the risk.

Okay, so fortunately, I’ve never been hacked, and here’s some even better news. Facebook has recently introduced a new method of protecting your account while you’re working [read: playing] on their site via an open wireless network.

You’ll need to login into your FB account and navigate to:

Account > Account Settings > Account Security > Check box for Secure Browsing

It’s that easy!

Share this post with your friends and family so that they are aware of the risks, and can make these changes to ensure they are safe on Facebook as well. :)

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  • http://www.knownmedia.net Erwin Felicilda

    Thanks for sharing this Mandee, I had issues with this in the past. Fortunately enough I was able to catch it before any major damage was done.

    [Reply]

    mandeewidrick Reply:
    February 4th, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    Thanks for sharing the post, Erwin! You’re awesome!

    [Reply]

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  • http://whoschrishughes.com Chris Hughes

    Thanks for the quick tip Mandee! Just did it and now I think I’m going to get free wifi at Barnes n Nobles! Let’s see them try to hack me now!

    [Reply]

    mandeewidrick Reply:
    February 4th, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Haha! Yeah hackers, look out, Chris Hughes just put you outta business! :)

    [Reply]

  • http://www.designreformation.com Dillon Rhodes

    Thanks for the post, Mandee! Everyone should turn that feature on, even when using wireless in their home.

    Not only can you change your security setting, as Mandee describes, but when you go to Account > Account Settings > Account Security, you can also see your account activity.

    “View your recent account activity. If you notice an unfamiliar device or location, click “end activity” Note: Locations and device types reflect our best guesses based on your ISP or wireless carrier.”

    That way you can double check to see if anyone has logged into your account. If you notice anything peculiar, you should terminate all of the sessions and immediately change your password.

    [Reply]

    mandeewidrick Reply:
    February 5th, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    Yes, for sure Dillon, I’m going to turn that feature on as well.

    [Reply]

  • http://loyaltytoday.com Brandy

    Thanks for sharing this. I wasn’t aware of this new setting and I sit on McDonald’s free wifi all the time! yikes! just changed my settings.

    [Reply]

    mandeewidrick Reply:
    February 5th, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    Glad to hear it, Brandy!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.imjustsharing.com Mitch

    Wow, that’s a great tip! I don’t go out often to use my laptop in public places, but I do it every once in awhile so it’s brilliant.

    [Reply]

    mandeewidrick Reply:
    February 19th, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Yeah Mitch! I’ve just started working outside of my home more often and am usually on an open network, so I’m glad I can make sure that people aren’t hacking me while I’m on Facebook.

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I’m so glad my blog is back up after that long transfer to HostGator!

    [Reply]