Is Social Network becoming too social?

Courtesy: earlcapps.blogspot.com

A survey conducted over a small area of different States in north east India  which includes schools and colleges shows a dark image and future of the upcoming youth of this region. Students of classes VI to XII are so much indulged in social network like that of facebook that its impact is easily notable in falling grades, intensity of outdoor activities and indeed socializing. Being a member of a social network site has become a trend. These teens, unaware of the privacy, terms and condition of a networking site post and upload whatever they think is cool. Some even go to the extent of blackmailing and bullying beside derogatory remarks made on each other through this medium. This results in conflict between a numerous section of people and cyber crime resulting in loss of prestige & privilege. Some students even bunk school hours to surf the social network. For teens, this social network is also a good way to impress other friends. Some parents and teachers blame it on the easy availability of cell phone while the other just complains about one another's parents

It is high time that these teens be made to learn and understand the terms and condition of a networking site. Furthermore its overuse needs a check. All this is possible through parents and educators who should impart unstrained and periodic training in schools and colleges, of which not a drop is seen yet.

Safety in Facebook....the neglected but important part

Facebook has some inbuilt feature which goes a long way in protecting ones privacy and ensuring safety. Well, not everyone is aware of all these services by Facebook and here I am to write a post on all those services. If you don’t know about ‘secure browsing in Facebook’ and/or if you are really concerned about your privacy and safety in Facebook then read on. . .

To avail all these features it is always recommended that you register you personal cell phone with Facebook.

1. Secure browsing using HTTPS: Facebook allows its user to switch from Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). HTTPS is secure mode of browsing then HTTP.

If your browser address bar shows that you are in http://www.facebook.com/home.php    then it means that the connection between the Facebook server and your computer is unsecured.

To switch to HTTPS, Click ‘Accounts’ then ‘Account Settings’ on you Facebook homepage. Under the ‘Account Setting’ page click ‘Security’ and enable ‘Secure Browsing’.

      

            Click on the above image to get an enlarged view

A line from the famous Wikipedia explains:

HTTP is unsecured and is subject to man-in-the-middle and eavesdropping attacks, which can let attackers gain access to website accounts and sensitive information. HTTPS is designed to withstand such attacks and is considered secure against such attacks.

 

The above image shows a secure HTTPS connection to Facebook.Click on image to enlarge

2. One-Time Password: This feature can be very helpful at times. Suppose you are opening your Facebook homepage in a public computer, say in Cyber Café or in School or Office. It is a smart option not to input your normal password to prevent password tracker, key loggers etc. to open your profile, better it would be if you ask Facebook for a special password to open your page. Simply send a SMS as ‘otp’ (without quotes) to 32655 from your registered mobile number. Your will soon receive a special password which remains active for only 20 minutes and can be used only once.

3. Login Approvals: Another social service by the social giant. You can configure login approvals and I recommend that you configure it NOW. This ensures that other unrecognized devices don’t login to your profile. Suppose you log in to Facebook from your own cellphone or your personal computer or both then you can keep these two devices under recognized devices. If ever you log in to Facebook with a different device other then these two devices then you will be asked to enter a access code which will be sent to your phone via sms. This is to ensure that the log in attempt is not fake or a jailbreak.

To go to recognized devices, Click ‘Accounts’ >> ‘Account Setting’>> Under Account Setting Page click ‘Security’ and add any recognized devices under ‘Recognized Devices’.

EXTRAS

Friend Listing In Facebook: Ever if you wanted to chat in Facebook but wished one of those irritating friend stayed away from your chat box. Or if you ever wanted to share something only with friends you trust most and not your cousin or teachers. Well, that’s always been possible in Facebook, but it is unlike Google+ where these feature is easy as a cup of tea.

You can Create LIST in Facebook. On your Facebook Homepage, click on ‘Accounts’, then click ‘Edit Friends’. Here you can see ‘Create a List’

You can create list according to your convenience, for example, create a list named ‘Teachers’ and add all your teachers in that list. Similarly create a list named ‘Cousin and Family’ and add your entire cousin in that list.

Now whenever you are online, you can customize to which list you would like to show yourself online. Or, if you share something, you can customize to which list your sharing would be visible too.

 The green circle shows the 6 lists I created. Click the image to enlarge

Sharing Responsibly. Click on 'Customize' to make your sharing visible to only those people you want Click on image to enlarge

Under Chat tab. Click 'Limit Availability' to chat with only those people you want. And make yourself invisible to others.

Clicking 'Limit Availability' pops up the above window. Here you can see the list you created and become online and offline for respective lists.

Also read my earlier article to be secure over Social Network.
Keep your Social Networking Profile Safe
 To know more on Facebook Security visit Facebook's official Security Center at 

www.facebook.com/help/safety/