Facebook has todayannouncedtwo new features aimed at improving security on the platform.
First up is full support for HTTPS connections – this means that your entire session with Facebook can be more secure. The move will please those who use open wi-fi networks and worry about snooping tools likeFiresheepbeing able to allow others to access their data.
HTTPS is already used as standard on Facebook login pages, but will now work across the whole site if you activate it.You can find the Account Security section of your account settings. Facebook does warn that load times may be increased under the new setting, and some third-party apps won’t work at all until they’re re-coded to support it.
The other new feature is an interesting alternative to a CAPTCHA, which Facebook is calling “Social Authentication”. If it detects suspicious activity on your account, it will show you photos of friends and ask you to correctly tag them. After all, hackers may know your password, but they probably don’t know who your friends are. The feature wasspotted in testinglast year, and is now officially part of Facebook’s security. Smart!
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Ironically, the news follows therecent hackingof Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook fan page.
Story byMartin SFP Bryant
Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletter PreSeed Now and technology and media consultancy Big Revolution. He was previously(show all)Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletterPreSeed Nowand technology and media consultancyBig Revolution. He was previously Editor-in-Chief at TNW.
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