How to tell Facebook who can see what on your profile
by Kody Wilcox
Remember when everyone warned you about the “Internet predators” that were out to get you? Since then, Facebook has stepped up and added some extra security features to your profiles. You have the ability to show or hide certain details on your profile from certain people or friend lists.
For instance, if I don’t want my boss, co-workers, or clients seeing that I am “Swimming when I should be working!”, I can now add them to a list labeled “Work Related” and hide my status updates from my “Work Related” friends.
From your home screen, type a status update and click the “padlock” icon beside the “Share” button. Then select “Custom”.
From the “Custom Privacy” screen, select which people/lists you want to be able to view your wall posts. Next, choose which people/lists you wish to hide your posts from.
Remember to “Make this your default setting” to make this setting permanent.
Facebook also has many other Privacy Settings. You can use the same Show/Hide feature on many other pieces of information on your profile. For instance, Profile information (birthday, religious views, etc.), Contact information (email addresses, phone numbers, etc.), Applications, and Search. Just go to your “Account” and select “Privacy Settings”.
You then can use the same Customization Tool to choose who can or can not view certain pieces of information on your profile.
Facebook also has a very useful tool for “Preview[ing] how your profile appears to a specific person.”
Under Profile Information, there is a “Preview my Profile” button that allows you to view your profile as if you were another person. You get to see how they view your profile from their screen. Cool huh?
By Default, the view is set to the public view. This is how your profile appears to someone who isn’t your friend. Notice the limited profile information. (some information is blurred for privacy)
For example purposes I view my profile as my boss Dennis, who is NOT listed in my “Work Related” list, therefore making my Wall posts visible to him.
Eric on the other hand who IS in my “Work Related” list can NOT view my Wall posts. Notice the lack of information he has compared to Dennis. He can view my contact information, unlike my public view can. Yet he doesn’t have access to my Wall.
Looks like I’m going to be in some trouble with Dennis! Thanks, Facebook, for the privacy options. Too bad there isn’t a “Travel Back in Time” button.
