A notice is showing up for Facebook users to update security settings for "Account Protection". The options are provided to make it easier to log back in to Facebook in the event there is a problem with your account. The first provided option is to provide a secondary e-mail address. The second option includes providing your Mobile number to achieve "High" account control.
Unfortunately, caution is needed in both instances to prevent forfeiting privacy. Added alternate e-mail address(es) have a default setting of "Friends Only". If you elect to add your mobile number, there is a pre-checked option to add the number to your Facebook profile. Instructions for customizing the information shared is in the "Privacy Settings" section below.
Information on the notice, steps to add the information and recommendations are provided below.
Notice
The "Account Protection" notice appears in the right column. The status changes from
Low to
Medium after adding an alternate e-mail address.
Step 1
Multiple alternate e-mail addresses can be added.
Each added address will receive a "Facebook Contact Email Confirmation" with a link to confirm the alternate address.
WARNING: If you restrict access or do not share your e-mail address with others in Facebook or have customized settings, it is necessary to update the settings for any added e-mail address(es). See the instructions below under "Privacy Settings"
After confirming any added alternate e-mail addresses, clicking the question mark (?) on the update screen explains how you can achieve "High" security:
Step 2
When you select the option under
Mobile Phone to "Sign up for Facebook mobile" and reach "High" Account Control, the instructions are to select country and mobile carrier and then enter the code received after sending a text message to
FBOOK from the mobile number.
Unfortunately, this is where caution is needed. The option to add the phone number to your Facebook profile is pre-checked:
WARNING: "Add this phone number to my profile" is pre-checked.
If you do not have your that information blocked in your profile, unless the option is unchecked, depending on your privacy settings, you will be providing your mobile number to anyone who has access to your profile information.
Personally, considering the frequent manner in which Facebook changes settings, I prefer not to include that information in Facebook. However, in the event you elect to include your mobile number, you can control who has access to that and other personal information.
Privacy Settings
To edit your Privacy Settings, select Account > Privacy Settings.
In the "Choose Your Privacy Settings" window that opens, select Customize settings. From there you can change the options as to who has access to your contact information. The options include Everyone, Friends of Friends, Friends and Customize (edit).
Although I have not provided my Mobile phone, I kept the "Only Me" setting. If you opt to customize that setting, you can make selected information visible to specific people on your friends list by individually adding their name(s). Information can also be hidden from specific individuals by adding the name(s) in the bottom section:
If you have not seen the "Account Protection" notice and wish to go ahead and add a backup e-mail address and/or mobile number, the steps are available at
http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php. Just be careful that you are not sharing more information than you want available.
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