If you want to stay safe on social platforms, avoid accepting friend requests from strangers or accounts you cannot verify. Accepting unknown friend requests grants unfamiliar users access to your personal photos, life updates, location tags, and friends list. Before clicking accept, check for mutual friends and inspect the profile for suspicious activity.

Facebook periodically updates its audience and privacy controls, which can inadvertently leave your posts, tagged photos, and profile details open to the public. Taking the extra time to manually audit your account settings ensures that only your trusted connections can view your updates. You can regularly review your settings directly through the official Facebook Privacy Center.

Key settings to check routinely include:

Using the same password across multiple platforms is a major vulnerability. If one website suffers a data breach, cybercriminals can quickly gain access to your Facebook account and personal messages. Create a unique, strong password combining uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Additionally, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an essential extra layer of defense, as recommended by cybersecurity guidelines from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Be extra cautious when logging into your account from public computers, shared devices, or unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Always ensure that web browsers do not save your login credentials, and remember to log out completely when finishing your session rather than simply closing the tab. If you frequently travel or access public Wi-Fi, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your web traffic encrypted and secure.

Sharing real-time countdowns or posting photos while away on holiday broadcasts to the public that your home is currently unoccupied. This exposes your property to potential theft or burglary. Wait until you return home safely before sharing your travel photos and vacation stories online.

As a golden rule of social media safety, never share anything publicly that you would not want published on a billboard or front-page news story. Screenshots can be saved and redistributed instantly. Avoid sharing sensitive status updates—such as revealing you are home alone, posting your daily schedule, or venting about personal matters. Always think carefully before you post to maintain control over your personal privacy.

Quick digital safety checks to practice daily:

To prevent search engines like Google from indexing your Facebook profile and exposing your photos or personal bio to public search results, adjust your search visibility preferences:

Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy. Locate the setting "Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?" and turn this option off. For official assistance, consult the Facebook Help Center.

Following these practical facebook safety tips will keep your account private and protect your identity online. What additional security measures do you use to keep your social media accounts safe?