Facebook Security Essentials: A 2025 Technical Guide

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Facebook Security Essentials: A 2025 Technical Guide
Photo by Alexander Shatov / Unsplash

With over 3 billion monthly active users, Facebook remains a prime target for cyberattacks, data harvesting, and privacy breaches. This technical guide explores Facebook’s 2025 security architecture, offering actionable strategies to protect profiles, data, and business assets.

The Complete Guide to Social Media Privacy: Protecting Your Digital Life in 2025
Introduction In today’s interconnected world, social media platforms have become integral to our daily lives, serving as spaces for personal expression, professional networking, and community building. However, this digital connectivity comes with significant privacy implications. This comprehensive guide explores the current state of social media privacy and provides actionable steps
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1. Privacy Settings

Profile Visibility Controls

Facebook’s 2025 updates enforce stricter default privacy for minors while allowing granular control for adults:

  • Under 18: Profiles auto-set to private; public visibility disabled.
  • 18+: Public by default, but customizable via:
    1. Settings & Privacy > Privacy > Profile Details
    2. Adjust visibility for bio, workplace, and contact info to Friends or Only Me.

Critical Adjustments:

  • Disable Search Engine Indexing under Audience & Visibility to hide profiles from Google/Bing.
  • Restrict Profile Photo Downloads via Privacy > Profile Photo Protection.
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Friend List Privacy

  • Hide Friends List:
    1. Navigate to Profile > Friends > ⋮ > Edit Privacy.
    2. Select Only Me to prevent social engineering attacks[4][33].
  • Audit Connections:
    Use Friends > Filter to remove inactive/bot accounts monthly.
Facebook’s 2012 Controversy: Ethical Dilemmas in Psychological Experimentation
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Timeline Controls

  • Post Visibility:
    Set default audience to Friends under Privacy > Posts.
  • Archive Old Posts:
    Use Manage Activity to hide/delete posts older than 1 year[28].
  • Limit Past Posts:
    Apply retroactive privacy via Privacy > Limit Past Posts[9].

Tag Review

  • Enable Tag Approval:
    1. Settings > Profile & Tagging > Review Posts You’re Tagged In > Enable.
  • Auto-Reject Tags:
    Block specific users from tagging under Profile & Tagging > Tagging Blocklist[26][27].
Meta Faces Multi-State Lawsuit Over Alleged Underage User Engagement
Introduction In a significant legal challenge, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, is currently facing a lawsuit from 33 U.S. states. The lawsuit alleges that Meta knowingly pursued and allowed users under the age of 13 on its platforms, a claim that
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2. Security Features

Login Alerts & 2FA

  • Alerts:
    Enable notifications for unrecognized logins via Security > Login Alerts (Email/SMS)[7][63].
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
    • SMS/Codes: Basic but vulnerable to SIM swaps.
    • Authenticator Apps: Use Google Authenticator or Authy.
    • Security Keys: YubiKey support added in 2024 for phishing resistance[59][65].
Social Media Stalking: How Much Does Facebook Really Know About You?
Introduction In the age of social media, privacy has become a luxury that seems increasingly elusive. Platforms like Facebook have been under scrutiny for their extensive data collection methods, raising questions about how much they really know about their users. This article aims to delve into the depths of Facebook’s
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Trusted Contacts

  • Setup:
    1. Security > Trusted Contacts > Select 3–5 friends.
  • Recovery:
    Request codes from contacts if locked out[61][64].

Security Checkup

Facebook’s automated tool scans for vulnerabilities:

  1. Settings > Security Checkup > Start.
  2. Review:
    • Active sessions
    • 2FA status
    • App permissions[23][58].
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Active Session Management

  • Audit Logins:
    Security > Where You’re Logged In > Remove suspicious devices[65].
  • Remote Logout:
    Terminate all sessions via Security > Log Out of All Devices.

3. Data Management

Off-Facebook Activity

  • View/Delete Tracking:
    1. Settings > Accounts Center > Your Activity Off-Meta.
    2. Disconnect specific apps or Clear History[66][68].
  • Block Future Tracking:
    Toggle Disconnect Future Activity[45][71].
Meta’s Encryption Moves: Fortifying Privacy on Facebook Chat and WhatsApp
Introduction In a significant stride towards enhancing user privacy, Meta Platforms, Inc. has recently initiated the rollout of end-to-end encryption for Facebook Chat and strengthened the existing encryption on WhatsApp. This article explores the nuances of these changes, their implications for user privacy and security, and the broader context in
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Ad Preferences

  • Opt-Out of Targeted Ads:
    1. Settings > Ads > Ad Preferences > Disable Personalized Ads.
  • Hide Sensitive Topics:
    Block alcohol, gambling, or political ads under Ad Topics[28][49].

App Permissions

  • Audit Access:
    Settings > Apps & Websites > Remove unused integrations[62].
  • Limit Data Sharing:
    Disable Platform API for third-party apps under Business Integrations[7][67].

Location History

  • Disable GPS Tracking:
    • iOS/Android: Revoke Facebook’s location access in device settings.
    • Web: Settings > Location > Disable Location Services[71].
  • Delete History:
    Activity Log > Location History > Delete All.

4. Groups & Pages

Group Privacy

Type Visibility Join Method
Public Searchable; posts public Open to all
Private Members-only content Admin approval required
  • Change Settings:
    1. Group > Admin Tools > Privacy.
    2. Note: Groups with 5,000+ members can’t revert to public[53][75].
New Mexico’s Legal Battle Against Meta: A Stand Against Child Exploitation on Facebook and Instagram
Introduction In a significant legal action, the state of New Mexico has initiated a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The case focuses on the critical issue of child exploitation on these widely used social media platforms. This article delves into the nuances of
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Page Visibility

  • Restrict Access:
    Page Settings > Audience & Visibility > Country/Age Restrictions.
  • Moderate Comments:
    Enable Profanity Filter and ban harmful keywords[72].

Marketplace Privacy

  • Hide Listings:
    Marketplace > ⋮ > Privacy > Hide from Friends.
  • Anonymous Messaging:
    Use burner email/phone for buyer communications[32].

Event Privacy

  • Control Visibility:
    • Public: Indexed by search engines.
    • Private: Invite-only via Event > Edit > Privacy[54].
  • Prevent Scraping:
    Disable Guest List Visibility for large events.

Best Practices for 2025

  1. Advanced Protection: Enable for high-risk accounts (journalists, execs) via Security > Advanced Protection[59].
  2. Monthly Audits: Review login sessions, app permissions, and ad preferences.
  3. Zero-Trust Model: Assume public visibility; use Only Me for sensitive data.
  4. Metadata Hygiene: Strip GPS data from photos before uploading[28].
  5. Education: Train teams on Phishing Detection using Meta’s Security Center[21].

By mastering these tools, users can mitigate risks while leveraging Facebook’s social and commercial potential. For organizations, combining Family Center for minors with Meta Business Suite analytics ensures compliance with global regulations like GDPR and CCPA[19][47].

Final Note: Facebook’s 2025 updates prioritize user control, but proactive management remains essential. Regularly revisit settings as Meta rolls out new features like encrypted backups and AI-driven threat detection[66][70].

Citations:
[1] https://www.allthingssecured.com/guides/what-is-facebook-protect/
[2] https://magicbrief.com/post/facebook-updates-2024-top-features-and-whats-coming-in-2025
[3] https://www.facebook.com/help/1052552578831700
[4] https://makgamer.com/how-to-hide-your-friends-on-facebook-2025-new-update-hide-facebook-friend-list-in-2025/
[5] https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app/193677450678703
[6] https://www.aboutcookies.org.uk/is-facebook-safe
[7] https://groupboss.io/blog/secure-facebook-account/
[8] https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/easy-ways-to-secure-facebook/
[9] https://blog.incogni.com/make-facebook-account-private/
[10] https://www.facebook.com/help/193677450678703/
[11] https://www.cloudwards.net/facebook-privacy-settings/
[12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH9YYV08wuU
[13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROlgC5cyk-o
[14] https://www.facebook.com/ETechCloud/photos/get-a-head-start-on-your-2025-cyber-security-goals-with-these-simple-tips1️⃣-str/1116933573777342/
[15] https://www.facebook.com/government-nonprofits/resources/basics/security
[16] https://www.allthingssecured.com/tutorials/facebook-privacy-settings/
[17] https://www.facebook.com/help/235353253505947/
[18] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiI9JQ-9VH8
[19] https://about.fb.com/news/2025/01/meta-8-billion-investment-privacy/
[20] https://www.facebook.com/help/213481848684090/
[21] https://www.facebook.com/security/
[22] https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/privacy/facebook-privacy-settings-a1775535782/
[23] https://www.facebook.com/help/799880743466869
[24] https://www.facebook.com/nelsonacehardware/videos/every-home-needs-these-3-essentials-to-keep-their-home-safe-and-secure-️-in-2025/1287858725667853/
[25] https://www.reddit.com/r/facebook/comments/1gm9rgc/is_facebook_making_invasive_privacy_changes_in/
[26] https://masterful-marketing.com/facebook-tagging-how-it-works-for-timelines-and-pages/
[27] https://www.facebook.com/help/325807937506242/
[28] https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-protect-your-privacy-from-facebook-and-what-doesnt-work/
[29] https://www.facebook.com/help/167941163265974/
[30] https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/facebook-privacy-settings-update/
[31] https://vocal.media/geeks/how-to-view-a-private-facebook-account-easily-in-2025
[32] https://www.qqtube.com/blog/how-to-hide-my-facebook-account-without-deleting-it
[33] https://www.facebook.com/help/115450405225661
[34] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oyTXThVe50
[35] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-unlock-facebook-account-2025-update-robiul-hossain-kjbhc
[36] https://www.facebook.com/help/285695718429403/
[37] https://www.facebook.com/help/148233965247823/
[38] https://www.mikegingerich.com/blog/how-to-setup-trusted-contacts-facebook-security-feature/
[39] https://jealouscomputers.com/how-to-find-security-settings-on-facebook/
[40] https://www.facebook.com/help/search/?query=security+question
[41] https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/privacy/off-facebook-activity-clear-history-data-collection-a3690858466/
[42] https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=618638033883592&id=100072122034499
[43] https://www.mydataremoval.com/blog/how-can-you-stop-facebook-and-other-sites-from-tracking-you/
[44] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_ISHucFhtc
[45] https://www.facebook.com/help/1224342157705160
[46] https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/1994830130782319
[47] https://about.fb.com/news/category/data-and-privacy/
[48] https://www.facebook.com/help/2207256696182627
[49] https://scpress.org/take-control-of-your-facebook-10-steps-to-enhance-privacy-and-security/
[50] https://www.facebook.com/help/286027304749263/
[51] https://groupboss.io/blog/how-to-create-facebook-group/
[52] https://www.instructables.com/How-To-Manage-A-Facebook-Group-AndOr-Discussion-Fo/
[53] https://www.facebook.com/business/learn/lessons/group-privacy
[54] https://www.facebook.com/help/208747122499067/
[55] https://www.facebook.com/help/220336891328465/
[56] https://www.facebook.com/help/494687427966946/
[57] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UxQdbz7Lc0
[58] https://groupboss.io/blog/secure-facebook-account/
[59] https://www.facebook.com/help/1052552578831700
[60] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH9YYV08wuU
[61] https://newsfeed.org/how-to-properly-secure-your-facebook-account/
[62] https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/easy-ways-to-secure-facebook/
[63] https://www.becybersafe.com/online/facebook-security.html
[64] https://www.allthingssecured.com/guides/what-is-facebook-protect/
[65] https://www.komando.com/news/social-media/check-facebook-devices/
[66] https://rebelliongroup.com/news-insights/how-to-take-control-of-your-data-on-facebook-and-google-a-step-by-step-guide/
[67] https://magicbrief.com/post/facebook-updates-2024-top-features-and-whats-coming-in-2025
[68] https://www.cnet.com/news/privacy/this-privacy-setting-helps-keep-instagram-and-facebook-from-tracking-you/
[69] https://tagembed.com/blog/facebook-updates/
[70] https://www.purevpn.com/blog/escape-facebook-tracking-guide/
[71] https://allaboutcookies.org/how-to-turn-off-facebook-tracking
[72] https://groupboss.io/blog/facebook-group-settings/
[73] https://www.facebook.com/community/getting-started-with-groups/facebook-privacy-settings-for-groups/
[74] https://support.360learning.com/hc/en-us/articles/4401908136596-Change-the-privacy-private-public-of-a-group
[75] https://www.facebook.com/community/using-key-groups-tools/understanding-your-privacy-settings/
[76] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjCkq61GSO0

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