Facebook places a control on connections

Facebook has deployed a new function which allows a user to keep an eye on connections to their account, and clean up anything required.

After having been widely criticised, the social network Facebook has tried to address security issues by providing an increased number of security controls and data sharing settings to the user. These controls will better assure private life and account security. This is the aim of a new function which Facebook is currently deploying.

For the last few months, in the account settings, a section dedicated to account security can be found, allowing you to better protect your Facebook account. The user is able to receive a notification (SMS or e-mail) when a new device connects to their account. This option will now be progressively implemented to all of Facebook’s 500 million users.

Thanks to the new security functions, users will be able to see in detail computers and other devices which have connected to their Facebook account, and delete them if required. All active sessions are listed along with a diverse range of information like the time of connection, the device name, location of the IP address and operating system and browser used.

This function allows users to close a session when they have forgotten to log off while also helping to fight against any accounting hacking. All suspect activity can be seen with the user then having certain measures available to prevent this in the future like changing their password.

This control may also help in the fight against spam. After having stolen  a username and password through phishing, cybercriminals will often use legitimate accounts to send spam. This method is particularly nasty as the message appears to have come from a Facebook friend.

Such a control mechanism can also be found in Google Gmail, providing user’s the possibility of following their accounts activity.