When Facebook implemented new privacy settings last month, the move was initially celebrated. Many users believed that the updated features would give the site's members
total and specific control over the information displayed on their profile pages.
People are steadily realizing, though, that the controls aren't universal and don't actually apply to certain data, like fan pages, profile pics, and friend lists. According to CNN, blogger Max Klein has
discovered yet another flaw in Facebook's new security plan. And this hole is sure to be met with member fury.
According to Klein, a simple hack can allow anyone with your e-mail address to find your profile. They could then harvest valuable information from it, like your "full name, friends, gender, age, interests, location, job, and education level." While Facebook claims that it has "developed several systems to detect and block" such activity, the troubling and somewhat infuriating weakness could be particularly
beneficial for marketers and scam artists, who could access large amounts of compromising information.
Facebook has
previously been accused of selling out its members in order to generate more page views and advertising revenue, and this recent discovery will only serve to exacerbate that negative perception. If you're unsure of what information on your profile is publicly available and you want to lock it down as securely as possible, you can check out our
step-by-step walkthrough of the new settings. [From:
CNN]
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Facebook's Most Annoying Things
Getty Images
Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
Tags: facebook, facebook privacy, FacebookPrivacy, hack, privacy, security, settings, top
Comments
19
Subscribe to comments(Unverified)Jan 10th 2010 8:10AM
There is a solution...We all know that Facebook and the like are public forums. Don't post anything you'd not want everyone to know...Privacy is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Technology has consequences as well as advantages...Welcome to the digital age!
(Unverified)Jan 10th 2010 9:02AM
I don't think marketers are that interested in the limited data that can be obtained from the facebook profiles. When, for the price of a cup of coffee, they can access data from "detective' sites that provide info from credit reports to family history on anyone. Once were all "micochiped" it won't matter anyway's.
(Unverified)Jan 13th 2010 8:51PM
yep, i've definitely noticed lots more spam from friends. not only in chat, but now in my inbox too, and i'm getting up to 3 repeated messages from the same person. facebook better increase the privacy or i'm quitting.
well, maybe not, but still, i'm mad!
(Unverified)Jan 13th 2010 9:58PM
I like FB as it has allowed me to reconnect with a number of folks of whom I had lost track. However, I think FB needs to keep improving its security.
(Unverified)Jan 13th 2010 10:09PM
I quit FB, and I couldn't be happier about it... I spend less time browsing the pages of people I wouldn't ordinarily be in contact with... If I'm not willing to invest in actual relationships with some of my "friends" from FB, then I don't need to peek into their lives or have them peek into mine.. Cancel the darn thing and start reinvesting some real face time with those closest to you...
(Unverified)Jan 13th 2010 10:39PM
I see what you mean. But you obviously have it much different than most people do. My boyfriend travels all over the U.S. and he likes to stay in touch with family and friends through FB because he can't always be at home to visit them. Also, my family lives in another state and FB gives me a way to talk to them. So not everyone is so blessed to have all their family and friends nearby to go visit.
airmikeeJan 19th 2010 10:55AM
RE: collitb
Do you not have telephones where you live?
If FB is your only means of communicating with someone, I feel sorry for you.
(Unverified)Jan 13th 2010 10:34PM
I ignore all those farmville, etc sites and have emailed everyone of my friends about not inviting me to any sites in fb or to join anything with fb. I also told them I do not download the apps for the hearts, etc. I am on their to keep up with friends and nothing more. So far it has been working out. One more thing, never tag me in a picture. I do very few pics on my page. This way I don't have to worry about my business clients and/or future clients checking up on anything and if they do, it is fine. Just be very careful and forget about all the BS on fb. It's nice just to keep up with friends, etc.
(Unverified)Jan 13th 2010 10:36PM
One more thing, why people list their employment and their complete birthdate is beyond me.The less info you give, the safer you are.
(Unverified)Jan 13th 2010 11:20PM
I don't care who knows where I'm from, no one has my age and thats about all the info I put on my profile. I don't play those stupid games like that farm thing who not only harvests your information but all of your friends information too, I realized that is not the sort of game I want to play and I never play them. I can't see what other information they would have about me that would mean anything, if it did I wouldn't put it in, like my social security number which has never been put online. I can't imagine people actully banking online, I think thats worse than anything you can do on facebook. Just be careful.
(Unverified)Jan 13th 2010 11:33PM
Face book copied my e-mails and sent everyone an invite....I did not want this...they sent over 300 people on my e-mail an invite....I change and made a new e-mail...........
(Unverified)Jan 14th 2010 1:07AM
Okay. DUH time. If a person does not want their personal information known then don't post it!! How hard is that people! This is the internet, a generic access portal that does not know who you are and what you have unless YOU tell it. Keep your personal information to yourself and you won't have these kinds of problems. There are plenty of "fantasy" identities that are made up anyway for protection and it's better all around anyway.
(Unverified)Jan 14th 2010 1:58AM
"Fantasy Identity"? What's that?
(Unverified)Jan 14th 2010 1:12AM
OMG, I know! I wish there was a privacy setting where you could just close off your pic and info that's put even with 'privacy' settings to unwanted stalkers. My best friend's ex friend, Jackie Baba has added all her stuff, tried to copy everything she has on facebook. The good thing about blocking though is the person can't see your picture even... the problem? Sometimes you aren't always aware of who's stalking you.. an alias name of your stalker alike my friend's stalker could see your stuff still and you wouldn't think to block em cuz you wouldn't ever know! Facebook, Step it up.. anyone can search your name on facebook and become your friends, they can use your pics, info and all to destroy your internet "life' as so many teens spend time on facebook.
(Unverified)Jan 14th 2010 1:30AM
What's wrong with "traditional" email. For me that's good enough. Many of my friends are actually starting to pressure me into joining FB.
(Unverified)Jan 14th 2010 4:25AM
I would say that facebook has bad customer service, but the truth is they have NO Customer Service, My account was disabled 4 days ago, ( without reasion ) E mail just said violated policy, or misrepresented, and I had not done anything wrong, I've had no response to 12 E-mails, Is there a way to contact a live person ???
(Unverified)Jan 14th 2010 5:55AM
'Many users believed'? Where do you get that crap? Anyone who reads the rare FB messages knew otherwise. Facebook has gone from a user friendly, intuitive site to a poorly designed mess. Kyle is absolutely right -- their customer service is non-existent. Their arrogance grows daily and they ignore the MySpace lesson -- that there will be a new flavor of the week coming.
(Unverified)Jan 17th 2010 8:09AM
Trust me...if someone wants in they will find a way. Be smart and don't think "it can't happen to me".
(Unverified)Jan 21st 2010 12:47PM
Obviously, I never use my real name or any other info on the net.