Tag Archives: Facebook Security

Facebook Status and Burglaries

Post Syndicated from David original http://devilsadvocatesecurity.blogspot.com/2010/09/facebook-status-and-burglaries.html

WMUR in New Hampshire reports what is one of the first large-scale burglary cases based on Facebook status messages that I’m aware of. For those of us who need to communicate about Facebook and social network security concerns to varied populations, this is a great example to cite. According to the article, “Investigators said the suspects used social networking sites such as Facebook to identify victims who posted online that they would not be home at a certain time.”

The article mentions $100,000-200,000 of stolen property that was recovered, and that the case was solved due to an officer who noticed that fireworks of the same brand reported stolen in a burglary were being shot off and investigated on orders to check out any fireworks they heard being fired.

Check Facebook Privacy Settings with ReclaimPrivacyRights.org’s Scanner Bookmarklet

Post Syndicated from David original http://devilsadvocatesecurity.blogspot.com/2010/05/check-facebook-privacy-settings-with.html


ReclaimPrivacyRights.org provides a simple bookmarklet that works simply by loading it when you visit your Privacy settings page on Facebook. Simple, neat, and it appears to be a neat way to get a basic checkup. Better, the source code is available for review.

Facebook Friend Suggestions – Not a Virus!

Post Syndicated from David original http://devilsadvocatesecurity.blogspot.com/2010/05/facebook-friend-suggestions-not-virus.html

Facebook status updates are quickly being populated with warnings that the suggest a friend notes that are appearing in users inboxes are virus driven. They’re not – in fact, Facebook has released a notice that AllFacebook.com posted stating

“This is neither a bug nor a virus, and the “Virus Alert” status update is incorrect. Friend suggestions are now mutual and will appear for both users involved. That is, if I suggest that one person become friends with another, both the person I suggested and the person to whom I sent the suggestion will receive the notification.”

The fact that the Facebook populace quickly communicates about a potential issue is good – the fact that false information is spreading quickly is not as good – but I’d rather my users avoid a fake virus than not avoid a real one.

Opting out of Facebook’s Instant Personalization

Post Syndicated from David original http://devilsadvocatesecurity.blogspot.com/2010/05/opting-out-of-facebooks-instant.html

The EFF as a quick look at how to opt out of Facebook’s new Instant Personalization capabilities. Of note, you must block ALL of the Instant Personalization websites if you use them, rather than just setting one master setting. They provide both written steps and a video, as well as a suggestion on how to make your voice heard about this new “feature”.