Privacy when logging in to Facebook: Many people are forced to use Facebook for the upbringing of their children, for professional reasons, or simply to have a voice. But how do I access Facebook with limited data? How can I ensure the most privacy possible? Here's a step-by-step guide to logging in to Facebook with limited data.
Facebook now has over a billion users worldwide, including nearly 32 million in Germany (as of 2021). Others who do not register on the social network do so for a variety of reasons. It is often a sense of respect for the social network, and sometimes even fear. However, generally, it is simply a concern about personal data.
Those who “have to” register with Facebook—for professional reasons, for example, or because their children are on the network—are frequently confused about how the process works. After all, you want to give out as little personal information as possible while remaining invisible to other Facebook users.
Computerfraud.de has created step-by-step instructions for just these people. This is how you can join Facebook in ten minutes while providing as little information as possible.
1. Facebook's registration: The mandatory information
Step 1 in Facebook registration: Visit www.facebook.com. Here you can see the form with the mandatory information that the network requires for registration.
2. Real or false data in Facebook registration?
Enter your first name, last name, e-mail address, a password that is as secure as possible (at least twelve characters and letters and special characters), your gender and your date of birth.
Can you also use incorrect information here? Yes. But be careful: According to the terms of use, you must provide real data when registering—otherwise Facebook can block you later. Be sure to enter a valid email address. You will receive a confirmation email with a link that you have to click on.
Tip : Set up a special email address for such registrations with a free mailer such as GMX or Web.de. Then you don't have to give Facebook your main email address.
3. Do not allow Facebook access to your mailbox
Once you have entered your data, Facebook will ask you to access your email address. If you allow this, Facebook will compare the names and e-mail addresses in your e-mail address book with the member data it has stored. If Facebook finds matches, these people will be suggested to you as Facebook contacts. This can be useful if you actually want to use Facebook as a social network—for example, to find old acquaintances or school friends. If you value the greatest possible data protection, do not allow Facebook access to your mailbox. Instead, click Skip this step .
4. Say no again right away
Facebook remains stubborn on this point. In the next step, you will be asked again whether you want to allow Facebook access to your mailbox. So click on” Skip” again at the point “Find your friends “.
5. No school, no job on Facebook
In a next step, Facebook will try again to bring you together with friends or Facebook members you know. To be able to compare the data, you should now enter your school, university, and employer. Reject this by clicking on“ Skip ”.
6. No profile picture on Facebook – or is it?
Another step in registering on Facebook is the profile picture. You can upload this directly from your computer – if you like. Here's where you need to weigh: Are you using a profile picture? A placeholder – or no image at all? If you want to protect your private data as well as possible, you should refrain from posting a portrait picture on Facebook. In this case, just click“ Skip ”.
7. The confirmation email
To complete the registration process, you will now receive a code to the email address you provided. You must enter this to complete the registration.
8. Your new, data-efficient Facebook profile
You've now taken the first steps—and are a new Facebook member. You gave out as little information about yourself as possible.
But one thing has to be said at this point: You can only use the actual functions that Facebook stands for to a limited extent with this profile – such as networking with old friends or current acquaintances.
9. The privacy settings on Facebook
Now you can proceed to seal your Facebook profile further. To achieve this, click on “Privacy Settings” at the top right.
10. Stop applications on Facebook
As a member of Facebook, you can use so-called applications, i.e., additional programs that add certain functions to Facebook. The problem: many applications access your personal data. These then migrate to the databases of other forms—or are used for advertising purposes. Click on “deactivate” here to deny access:
11. Turn off instant personalization
Go back to Privacy Settings and click on Instant Personalization. This means that third-party companies may access your data stored on Facebook to offer you certain services or settings. Disable this item as shown here:
12. How users share your information with applications they use
Another important point in the “Privacy settings” is the topic” How users share your information with applications they use “. Many points from Facebook are already set here. This means that your Facebook friends can—usually unknowingly—transfer your personal data to third-party companies when you use Facebook applications. Disable this by ticking each of the checkboxes until none are filled:
13. Chronicle and Markings
As a social network, Facebook tries to network its members with one another – or to have them networked. You can prevent this by playing dead on Facebook. And generally prohibit others from tagging you with your name on photos or placing their messages on your personal Facebook page (the so-called timeline). To achieve this, click on “History and tags” in the privacy settings and set them as follows:
14. Facebook: Ads, Applications and Websites
Facebook makes its money from advertising, primarily from personalized advertising. The company uses your data to make products palatable to other members. If you do not want this, you can prevent Facebook from using your data for advertising purposes. To achieve this, click on” Edit settings” in the privacy settings under Ads, applications, and websites.
In the next window, a bit hidden, you will find a link to” Edit third-party ads settings “. Click this link:
Now you have the opportunity to protect your data from being used for advertising purposes. When asked who should see ads using your personal information, select “Nobody”:
That was it. Save the settings. Now you are a Facebook member with as little data as necessary—and as much privacy as possible.
15. Additional section in a document: the account settings
In addition to the privacy settings, you could (and should) take a look at the so-called account settings. Under this point, you secure your Facebook account against unauthorized access from outside and also make sure that you are not spied on. You can access the account settings via the small arrow at the top right:
Now click on the Security item on the left and then go through the individual items from top to bottom by pressing “Edit” in each case:
We recommend the following settings here:
Security Question : Choose a security question here in case you need to request a new password. This prevents an unauthorized person from requesting a new password on your behalf.
Safe Browsing : Select Edit here, then enable. This will allow you to control Facebook via a secure connection in the future.
Login notification : Be notified by email when your Facebook account is accessed from a previously unknown computer. You will be informed quickly if data thieves have struck.
*16. Download a copy of your Facebook data
Facebook stores a ton of data about its members. You can – at least in part – directly query everything that is stored about you and download a copy to your computer. To achieve this, click on the “Download a copy of your Facebook data” link under Account settings and General below:
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