Do It Scared!

If you use Firefox, there is a great Firefox add-on called NoScript which makes internet browsing much safer with your cooperation.

NoScript prevents executable content (such as Javascript, Java, and Flash) from running on a web page unless you give it permission to. Executable content are used for stuff like showing video on a web page and are misused to infect your computer with viruses and spyware.

Once you have NoScript installed, when you go to a website, you will see at the bottom of Firefox a line bar with the Options button on the right. If you trust the website (such as www.bankamerica.com), then click on the Options button and select “Allow bankamerica.com”. From then on, executable content on that website will always be allowed to run.

If the page doesn’t look right, you can also temporarily allow the executable content to run by clicking on the Options button and selecting “Temporarily allow <website_url>”. If you come back to the website later, the executable content will not be allowed to run.

NoScript can make browsing a lot safer, but it can be a hassle at the beginning because you have to give permission for each website. Unfortunately, some web pages host executable content from different websites so you may have to give permission to two or three websites before the web page shows up okay.

If you’re interested, just run Firefox, browse to NoScript – JavaScript/Java/Flash blocker for a safer Firefox experience! and click on the “Add to Firefox” green button.

By default, Facebook will expose most of your info to everyone. To only allow your friends and family to access your most private info, you will need to configure Facebook to limit access.

1. Log into Facebook
2. Click on “Settings->Privacy Settings” on the top-right corner
3. Click on “Profile”
   • Select “Only Friends” in all the options
   • Check the “Friends may post to my Wall” box
   • Click on “Save Changes”
4. Click on “Contact Information” tab near the top
   • Select “Only Friends” on all the options
   • Click on “Save Changes”
5. Click on the “Privacy” link near the top-left to go back to the main Privacy Settings
6. Click on “Search”
   • Make sure that the “My friend list” is not checked; otherwise strangers will see your friends
   • Make sure that “A link to add me as a friend” is checked; otherwise folks won’t be able to request you as a friend. If you’re nice, you can check the “My profile picture” box also so that they can see your picture.
   • I left the “Search Visibility” set to “Everyone” and the “Create a public search listing” checked so that people can find me; but you can uncheck these two options if you want to.
   • Click on “Save Changes”
7. Click on the “Privacy” link near the top-left to go back to the main Privacy Settings
8. That’s it. You don’t need to adjust the other two sections, “News Feed and Wall” and “Applications”.

Congratulations, you have just secured your Facebook account.