Top 13 Important Tips for Using Facebook Safely

Many IT experts have warned about the security risks of using the same password for all accounts. If you don't want hackers to steal your information or exploit it for malicious purposes, it's crucial to avoid this habit. While managing too many passwords can be a challenge and difficult to remember, doing so ensures much better security. If one account is hacked, all of your other accounts become vulnerable in an instant. Additionally, forgetting to log out from public devices can give hackers easy access to your other accounts.

When setting a password for Facebook, avoid using simple combinations like "nguyenthiha". Instead, consider adding numbers or special characters for enhanced security. Practice memorizing your passwords to ensure you don't fall victim to simultaneous account breaches.

To access accounts quickly, we often get into the habit of saving passwords for automatic login on devices like laptops, iPads, and smartphones. However, when these devices are sent for repairs or sold, we tend to forget to log out from our accounts, giving others the opportunity to steal personal information and use it for malicious purposes.

What you need to remember is that you should always supervise the repair process and ensure that all your personal accounts are logged out. Have you ever thought that someone could hack your Facebook account and lock you out? Or imagine one day when friends inform you that your account has been used to borrow money... unfortunately, this happens often.

A common habit for many people is to accept friend requests from strangers as long as they share mutual friends. However, how can you be sure of who they really are and what their intentions are? Are they truly your friends, or do they have ulterior motives and want to gather information about you?

Social media is often referred to as a 'virtual world,' where you can meet many new people, but you can also be easily deceived by strangers. Sometimes, the more you interact with strangers, the more likely you are to receive unsolicited messages from them. These could even include unwanted advances or invitations to join pyramid schemes...

Finding privacy in today's world is difficult, so it's essential to maintain a friend list consisting only of people you've met in real life. Don’t hesitate to ignore those strangers trying to befriend you with just a Facebook invite... Stay alert and remember, it’s best to accept friend requests only from people you know in person.

There was a time when many Facebook users became extremely frustrated and voiced their complaints about this issue, as it was becoming an annoying nuisance. Imagine receiving multiple notifications in a day, and every single one is an invitation to play a game. How would you react? Some people even decided to unfriend others just to stop the continuous stream of game invites.

Sending game invitations to others has been considered impolite by many. So, when you feel like playing a game, be mindful of others. If not, you might inadvertently cause inconvenience and lose friends without even realizing why.

If you have upcoming travel plans, it’s best not to share them on social media, especially when your post is public and visible to everyone. It’s like giving out a schedule and leaving the door wide open for burglars.

People you don’t trust might use this information to plan a visit to your home while you’re away on vacation. Don’t make this mistake. If you still want to share your travel plans, wait until you’re back and then casually mention, “Oh, I’ve just returned from my trip...”

If you have young children, never share personal details about them online—such as their school, where they go, who they stay with, or even images of them. There have been numerous cases of child abductions stemming from information that parents have unknowingly shared.

Social media can be a double-edged sword, and there are many people with malicious intentions. Sometimes, the details you think are harmless may attract the wrong kind of attention. A couple once shared photos of their child along with the school they attended and the times they would pick them up. One day, they received a call saying their child had been picked up by a relative—only to realize it was too late. Kidnappers had planned this for days and, at the right moment, took advantage of the parents' lapse in judgment to abduct the child.

Posting pictures of your home online can provide burglars with a roadmap of where to enter and what valuables to take. They can plan their break-in in advance by studying the images you've shared, almost as if they're familiar with the layout of your home.

It's important to avoid sharing personal details or photos of your property on social media, as it may attract unwanted attention. It can be very dangerous if you’re too open about your home’s interior!

Facebook offers freedom of speech, and no one monitors the content you post. However, if you have a purpose in life, it's important to limit how much you share and avoid constantly 'showing off' in this society.

Self-expression takes many forms, and people often try to prove their wealth by posting about luxury trips, expensive cars, or extravagant meals... But have you ever stopped to think that many people may be mocking you behind your back? Especially if you're only pretending to live that life? Or perhaps you want to come across as philosophical by criticizing or cursing others because they 'hurt' you. It's best to resolve it in the traditional way—talking directly to the person involved—rather than airing it on Facebook. Doing so can distort your words and won't make you happier. Out of all the comments asking how you're doing, how many are genuinely concerned for you, and how many are simply curious?

Moreover, if you're frequently posting updates, you're essentially sharing your life with the world. Sometimes, the things you share daily could cost you a job opportunity. For instance, 2 out of 5 recruiters check social media when assessing candidates. In fact, 43% of recruiters have found reasons not to hire someone based on what they've learned about them online... and you can probably guess where they find that information!

If you're not brave enough to look someone in the eye and say, 'It's over,' it means you weren't mature enough to begin that relationship. Most people believe that you shouldn't make it public on Facebook until your relationship is clearly defined in real life.

So when you easily end relationships with people and then cancel them on Facebook, others may see this as a sign of immaturity. It could even become a topic of gossip. Additionally, these posts can give third parties the chance to stir up more trouble, leading to unforeseen consequences.

You’re adorable, and you may want to share moments like eating, walking your dog, or being playful with others... but remember, never post sensitive pictures on social media.

Sensitive photos might include an awkward moment, a seductive pose, or intimate moments with your partner. These images, which anyone can freely download, could easily be misused for harmful purposes—such as being used in advertisements or shared in various online groups. Have you considered that, if you break up with your partner, you might spend time deleting those photos? Moreover, your new partner may feel hurt upon discovering those intimate pictures. There’s also a risk that someone with bad intentions might use those images to try to disrupt your relationship out of jealousy.

What's even more important is that many beauty pageant contestants or celebrities go through this. Before they become famous, no one cares about their posts, but once they win or achieve success, if they haven’t locked down their Facebook, the internet will dig up and gossip about anything—especially those sensitive photos or statuses. So, think twice before sharing such moments online.

Facebook and other social media platforms act like an open diary, allowing you to curate the image you want to present—whether it’s as a fashionable woman or a successful entrepreneur—in the eyes of your followers. To do this, you might share personal details and beautiful photos of yourself. However, you need to be cautious about sharing too much personal information, such as your full name, birthdate, or address. You can't imagine how these details might become targets for criminals, who can use them to plan robberies or even worse, sexual assaults. The main enabler of these crimes could be none other than you—the victim.

Additionally, fraudsters can use this information to steal your identity, take your photos, or even create fake accounts under your name. Therefore, it's important to carefully filter and select the information you share. You should also consider setting privacy controls to limit who can view your posts for added security.

Many people, out of curiosity or boredom, participate in online games on Facebook and accidentally click on links containing viruses. This can lead to their account being hijacked, which in turn becomes a tool for spamming junk links to all of their friends’ accounts, causing significant trouble.

In reality, hackers have various methods for executing malicious plans. They can steal your personal information or even impersonate Facebook itself to deceive users. To protect yourself, you should install and regularly update antivirus software to help prevent malware or provide warnings when attempting to visit fraudulent websites. Furthermore, you should be cautious with any links or files on Facebook, especially on Facebook Messenger—even if they come from friends. Never enter your password on unfamiliar websites.

Social media platforms are used by a wide variety of people, from the elderly to the young. Therefore, your Facebook account likely includes not only friends and family, but also strangers. However, freedom of speech can sometimes be a double-edged sword. There are two trends when using social media: one is sharing positive experiences, but excessive positivity can become a topic of discussion; the other is airing your frustrations or emotions—whether happy, angry, or sad—which may not be the best approach.

As the saying goes: 'Words are like wind.' If you're upset and express those feelings on social media, your words can be recorded and shared with your entire friend list. This may cause discomfort for those who disagree with you, or even create misunderstandings for hundreds of others. No matter what happens, you should avoid making your personal problems a sensitive topic on social media. It's hard to predict the consequences of a hasty, thoughtless comment, but it's certain that hundreds of people will remember it. It's better to keep your personal opinions to yourself and avoid unnecessary conflicts.