Facebook Hacked

Just one day after Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook page was hacked,Facebook responded with a whole menu of new security features.  More than just a publicity stunt, the quick response included some key changes that all Facebook users should know.

Read on for all you need to know about these five, key new tools.

1. HTTPS-enabled browsing protects users against password stealing on public networks and hacking schemes like the Firefox add-on Firesheep by creating a secure connection, even if the network is insecure.  Good news for sure, but Facebook has still left it up to the individual user to enable the HTTPS browsing themselves.  First, go to “Account Settings” under “Account” on the upper right of your screen, then down to “Account Security” and click “Change,” which will allow you to enable HTTPS browsing. You can also choose to receive an email when a new computer or device logs into your account.  One fair warning, however, is that HTTPS can sometimes dramatically decrease your page loading time, meaning what you gain in security, you may lose in speed.

1. Social authentication is an authentication feature that Facebook will activate if suspicious activity occurs on your account.  If you log in from Australia one day and California the next, for example, instead of giving you numbers or letters to re-type, you’ll have to correctly identify photos of your friends to log in.  The social authentication feature is now being tested on some users, as  Nick O’Neill from AllFacebook personally discovered, but is still in test mode and receiving user feedback.
2. One-time Passwords allow you to skip using your regular password if you have security concerns while using a public computer in a public place.  Users can text “otp” to 32665 on their mobile phone and get a password that can be used only once.  A few notes: you have to include a mobile phone number in your Facebook account to get a one-time password, and, don’t text just yet – this feature will be rolled out gradually to users over a few weeks.
3. Remote Log-Out is now available for all users in case you log into Facebook from a friend’s phone or computer and then forget to log out. From your Account Settings, you can check if you’re still logged in on other devices and remotely log out.  Just go to “Account Security” on your “Account Settings” page to view details on all your active sessions. If you catch someone in your account without your permission, you can further navigate this page to shut down the unauthorized login before resetting your password.
4. Security Updates will now also appear regularly when you log in to Facebook to remind you to update your security information on this page.

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