FacebookThe privacy and productivity challenge

Avoid identity theft when social networking on websites like Facebook, and learn how companies can block employees from visiting inappropriate websites.

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A Sophos investigation showed how easy it is to steal an identity on Facebook

Facebook is an internet phenomenon, with a reported 100,000 new people joining the social networking website every day. But do you think carefully about your privacy settings, or do you reveal too much information about yourself to potential identity thieves? ID fraudsters can use confidential information to commit crimes against individuals and their companies.

Read our tips for better security on Facebook to find out how to secure your personal data with Facebook's privacy settings and avoid identity theft.

The danger of Facebook identity theft

ID fraudster Our research shows that 41% of Facebook users will divulge personal information - such as email address, date of birth and phone number - to a complete stranger, greatly increasing their susceptibility to identity theft. In most cases, it was possible to access users' family photos, information about likes/dislikes, hobbies, employer details and other personal facts - all information that could help a criminal guess someone's password or impersonate them. Many more have made details of their friends and family freely available to millions of other Facebook users.

Facebook's privacy features actually go far beyond those of many competing social networking sites, but users are simply not choosing their privacy options carefully and have not learnt how to behave safely online.

Home users are not the only ones at risk. Businesses and other organizations could be the victims of a targeted attack by cybercriminals who are using stolen employee information to their advantage.

Facebook, employee productivity, and your company's image

A Sophos poll revealed that 50% of employees are blocked from accessing Facebook at work, not just because of privacy concerns, but also due to fears that workplace productivity may be hit.

Companies are also concerned that employees may be writing material on Facebook, or publishing photographs and videos, that may cast the company in an embarrassing light.

Although sites like Facebook can be used for legitimate business purposes, we believe IT administrators should be given the power to decide whether access is appropriate for their company.

Sophos are experts at helping organizations secure and control their users, and Sophos Web Appliances can be used to set policies to control which websites are accessible, as well as blocking malicious phishing and virus-infected webpages.

Facebook privacy settings

Read our best practice guide for better security on Facebook. Detailed screenshots walk you through our recommended privacy settings.

Best practice tips for Facebook privacy settings

Choose your friends carefully

"41% of Facebook users agreed to be friends with this plastic frog, opening themselves up to the risk of identity theft."

Want to block Facebook?

We are experts at helping businesses protect their users. Sophos Web Appliances can be used to set policies to control access to websites like Facebook, as well as blocking malicious phishing and virus-infected webpages.