Wednesday, December 20, 2023

I have cleaned up my Facebook and its Messenger service

Finally, the true scenario has emerged: I have less than 100 "friends" and less than 100 "followers", too, on my Facebook and its Messenger service.

I have set the settings so that details about the number or identity or other details of my friends and followers cannot be seen.

I advise everyone to take the following steps (I managed to generate from BARD) which I have described below so that you cannot be scammed and spammed by people while you are on Facebook and its Messenger service.

Peace. -- Hilath Rasheed a.k.a. Dhovi Kaleyge on Facebook

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BARD:

Unfortunately, scammers are prevalent on Facebook, so it's important to be vigilant and know how to handle them. 

Here are some tips for dealing with scammers on Facebook:

Prevention:

Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true offers: Whether it's a miracle weight loss product, an unbelievable investment opportunity, or a chance to win a huge prize, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Verify profiles and information: Look for inconsistencies in profiles, like stolen photos, lack of friends or interactions, or vague bios. Check the Facebook search bar to see if the same profile picture appears with different names.

Don't click on suspicious links or attachments: They could download malware or lead you to phishing websites that steal your information.

Stay within Facebook: When buying or selling on Marketplace, keep all communication and transactions within Facebook Messenger. Avoid moving to personal email or phone numbers.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security to your Facebook account, making it harder for scammers to break in.

If you encounter a scammer:

Don't engage: Engaging with a scammer could give them more information about you or even draw you deeper into their scheme. Simply block and report their profile.

Report the scam to Facebook: Facebook has a reporting system for various types of scams. You can report profiles, posts, messages, and even specific comments.

Warn others: Share information about the scam on your own page or in relevant groups to help protect others.

Never share personal information or send money:

Scammers often ask for personal details like your Social Security number, bank account information, or credit card numbers. Never provide these, and don't send any money, even if they threaten you.

Additional Resources:

Facebook Help Center:

https://www.facebook.com/help/263149623790594

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Scam Alerts:

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts

AARP Fraud Watch Network:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/

Remember, staying informed and cautious is key. By following these tips and reporting scams promptly, you can help keep yourself and others safe on Facebook.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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It's important to understand that completely preventing "likes" on Facebook is not possible. The platform thrives on engagement, and it's designed to allow users to react to content. 

However, you can use various methods to limit who can see your posts and comments, thus indirectly minimizing the likelihood of receiving "likes":

Audience Control:

Adjust Post Audience: Before posting, use the audience selector to choose who can see your content. You can choose "Friends," "Friends of Friends," specific friends list, or even "Only Me" to completely hide it from everyone.

Comments Audience: For existing posts, edit their settings to control who can comment. You can choose "Friends" or even "No One" to prevent any interactions, effectively making "likes" impossible.

Privacy Settings:

Limit Profile Visibility: In your privacy settings, you can control who can see your profile information, including posts and comments. Choose "Friends" or a specific list to restrict visibility.

Manage Friend Requests: Be selective about who you accept as friends, as your friends' friends can also see your public posts and potentially "like" them.

Content Sharing:

Share less publicly: Consider sharing personal updates or sensitive content privately through direct messages or group chats instead of public posts.

Avoid controversial topics: Posting polarizing or controversial content is more likely to attract unwanted attention and reactions, including "likes" you might not desire.

Alternative Platforms:

Use private platforms: If complete privacy is your primary concern, consider using private communication platforms like Signal or Telegram where only invited users can interact.

Remember:

These methods will limit audience and interaction, but they might also isolate you from potential connections and conversations.

Restricting engagement might go against the spirit of social media, where sharing and interaction are core functions.

Consider if limiting "likes" aligns with your overall social media goals and whether alternative solutions like filtering unwanted interactions might be a better fit.

I hope this information helps you make informed decisions about your Facebook presence and find the balance between privacy and engagement that works best for you.

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