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[Postmeno3]

Hi,
Does anyone know how to fast-track through all the personal stuff to set up a simple, private account on Facebook? I was horrified yesterday when, after submitting only the very initial basic information (name, age/d.o.b, e-mail address), two people I knew professionally from years ago came via a link as wanting to befriend. I'm so not into that stuff and don't want to use Facebook for that reason or appear available to all and sundry. I do have quite a distinctive name and wonder if that identifies me more quickly and widely. I only want to join for the VA group and the local community group. Thanks.

[Aprilflower]

Can't advise, sorry, but that's why I never completed my FB signing on.  Far too intrusive.

[Perinowpost]

FB deliberately tries to connect people, that’s how it works x

[Postmeno3]

Thanks, all. It's my first name that's unusual and that's in my e-mail address. Feels very Big Brother-ish! One technical slip, easily done by me and it goes against the intention! Hmmmmmm.......🤔

[Two hoots]

I only allow friends to see my information and dont allow friends requests, I hardly post but like to see posts from friends and from other interests I have. 

There is a drop down menu (its in the top right hand corner for me, a little triangle) that has a Settings and Privacy option, open this and find the Privacy Checkup link that allows you to change your settings and make your account as private as you want.

I hope this helps 

[PeriWhat?!]

You can either choose a fake name to make it more difficult for people to find you, or you can choose not to accept friend requests.
Once you're set up, you can tighten up your privacy settings, go to the dropdown menu top right of the page, click Settings and privacy and go through each section so it has the maximum privacy, if that's what you want.
You can also set it so people can't find you via your email address/phone no.
Remember that Facebook and Instagram are linked, so people you're connected with on Instagram might get told you've joined Facebook.

[Postmeno3]

Thanks, everyone. Great info! It seems you have to sign on and then make the alterations......thinking it through. 🤯

[CLKD]

It's a mine field out there!

I get twice weekly possible 'friends' which I in the main, delete.  Most appear as photos . .............. a simple click reject works.

[Postmeno3]

My health issues make information-processing trickier and energy is very precious. I don't want to have to be monitoring incoming material all the time, so I'll have to ensure maximum privacy, no "intrusion" as someone said earlier.

[Taz2]

You can make it really private and even prevent people posting comments on your timeline. You don't have to put up any personal info such as places lived, jobs etc. One thing to note is that your profile pic is downloadable by others though. I haven't found a way to make this private. Advice is not to have a photo of yourself as your profile pic. I need to check my settings again as they do change from time to time

[Postmeno3]

Interesting! Thanks. Gosh, what a web! 

[CLKD]

I don't put a photo up, something locals 'get at me' for often.  However, those that know me ......... know what I look like  . I don't want to know those who aren't familiar with
me ;-)

[PeriWhat?!]

Your profile pic doesn't have to be you. You could use an abstract image, a photograph you've taken, a pet, anything really...
If you're in Facebook groups, especially private ones, others may feel suspicious of you if you don't have any sort of profile pic - I always start with the assumption that anyone with no profile pic is either a troll or a fake account so I wouldn't admit them into any of the groups I manage. Unless they prove me wrong.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

After my diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis I joined a Facebook group concerned with Faecal Microbiome Transplant (FMT). It was all the rage at one time and hopes were high that it would be an effective treatment for UC and Crohns. It was understood that people using the site may not want to reveal their true identity so it was possible to register under a false name, which I did. I don't think Facebook approved of this but users of the site managed to get away with it!

Take care everyone.

K.

[CLKD]

Facebook is being rebadged 

As I said, those that know my name know who I am ;-).