Stronger Security for Facebook in the Month of October

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and what does social networking giant, Facebook have to reveal to the public? New security tools that might get users excited. In a recent article by CNN, Facebook rolls out new security tools, talks safety, Joe Sullivan, chief security officer of Facebook, discussed their concern and focus on the privacy of their users. On Tuesday (Oct 12) Facebook will now allow their users to log off from all computers and devices from another computer, and also receive a temporary password to use when on public computers. Joe Sullivan says security is "a core part of the ways we innovate as a company," and this is evident in the site's new improvements.

I know that when I go on Facebook from the UA library or some other public computer, I am worried if maybe somebody might be able to retrieve my password. Well worry no more with Facebook's one-time passwords that will be available for people using public computers. These passwords will last for 20 minutes and can be received by texting "otp" to 32665 and Facebook will send the password straight to your cell phone.

Another tool that Facebook has updated to its user's accounts is the ability to see what computer/cell phone you may be still logged into. I think this is the coolest tool Facebook created because I know that many users such as myself have worried if maybe they forgot to log off of a public computer or a friend's computer. Now users can access their account settings and get a list of all computers and devices they are currently logged on to and simply log off.

Finally Sullivan also added how hard Facebook is working to keeping children 12 and younger out of Facebook and how they truly do not want it going on. They hope that parents will be able to monitor their children and help out but I believe that unless parents are watching their children 24/7 kids 12 and younger will manage to get on Facebook. There is just no way to actually end the problem but I like the concern shown by Sullivan.

Security and privacy has been a hot issue with Facebook and in my opinion, I think that the new tools that Facebook has unveiled to the public are excellent and are what set itself from the rest of the social networking sites but one-time passwords that last 20 minutes Facebook? Do you know how long people spend on your site a day? I do not have the actual number but I know that it is certainly longer than 20 minutes. At least Facebook is showing that they care for their users and are trying to make a difference and for that I respect the social networking site. For more information, please read the link in the text (Article from CNN.com).

--- Information on Facebook Security
--- What you need to know about Facebook privacy