Facebook dealt with major damage control after a security breach that compromised information from millions of accounts. CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and his team have worked to regain the trust of the social media site’s users since.

It is alleged that at least 30 million user’s data was at risk after hackers took advantage of a vulnerable window. This window allowed them access to user’s personal data.

The Problem

According to Facebook, an internal security review found hundreds of millions of passwords stored on unencrypted servers. Passwords and sensitive data were found to be safe following the breach.

Facebook and other social media sites face constant attacks and vulnerabilities. To prevent future breaches, security measures must be put in place.

What This Means for the User

Zuckerberg made it clear that Facebook has invested heavily in security. However, users cannot help but wonder if their information is actually being kept safe. Having your sensitive information in the hands of unscrupulous individuals is a sobering thought.

Millions of users had to log out of their accounts while a vast number opted out of Facebook altogether. Other users found that Facebook had already logged them out. 

What the user needs to understand from this breach and past ones is the following:

Account Security is the User’s Responsibility

Considering that Facebook saved user’s passwords without encryption, the account owner may have to ensure that they are not easily accessible. One way is by creating complex passwords that are not easy to hack. Another is to change passwords constantly and to avoid repeat use of old passwords.

While a determined hacker may still get through, users should not make it too easy by being overly vulnerable. Users could also limit the number of gadgets that can gain access to their accounts.

Leave Sensitive Information off Social Media

There are users that have no problem indicating their contact information including phone numbers and emails on their Facebook page.

Some also include their physical address and work location, schools their children attend as well as their last checked-in location. Such information in the wrong hands could lead to serious problems.

Conclusion

Facebook users must understand and accept that there is a possibility they could be vulnerable. Consequently, they should try as much as possible to enhance their own security on the platform even as the company is working to avoid such mishaps in the future.

Having a strong password is great but ensuring that the information you give would not affect you adversely if it leaked is even better.