Facebook wants users' cell numbers in bid to bolster security

JMH · Jun 15, 2012

In the wake of a rash of password leaks, Facebook wants to educate its members about how to make their accounts more secure and is asking for users' cell phone numbers as part of that effort.

The social network has begun adding a message at the top of every member's news feed that suggests they "Stay in control of your account by following these simple security tips." The message includes a link to Facebook's security page, where users are tutored on how to identify a scam and choose a unique password, and are asked to provide a cell phone number where replacement passwords can be sent.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57...?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=News-Security&Privacy

AceInfinity · Jun 15, 2012

And what if I don't have a cellphone? Smart plan they have there...

It's like this new integration of Crestron with iPads for control touchpanels integration, now instead of a touchpanel I have to go out and buy an iPad just to have a touchpanel there, and if I want to use it as a touchpanel I have to make sure it's actually at my house and I didn't leave it at work or something really dumb like that.

The ideas some people have... It makes me question the intelligence on some.

So now if I want to use facebook, and I want my account more secure i'm going to have to go out and buy a cellphone? And how do they plan on making a cellphone number part of security here? There's flaws with that idea anyways. They can't possibly know when my cellphone number changes lol, so obviously they would have an option to change the cellphone number, JUST like there's an option to change your email... Now I change that to my own (or a dummy email/cellphone number) and they can't get back in. :r1:

Same principle behind providing an email, only now you have a cell number and email to keep track of...

N_J · Jun 15, 2012

If I want them to have my number I'll call them. :roll eyes (sarcasti

AceInfinity · Jun 15, 2012

lol, it seems the trend for everything nowadays

"We need you to integrate your Facebook account with our website"
"Can we have your mobile phone number so we can send you text advertisements?"
"Link your Google+ account with your Youtube!"
etc...

Very silly, in earlier days if someone had your email, they had everything, which is still true, however genius' today decide to make it easier for others to grab a hold of your entire online life by linking now everything together. Somebody has your Youtube? Maybe they have your Google+ or your Gmail? Or if they have your Google+, maybe now they have your Facebook? Now if they have your Facebook maybe they have your email and your mobile, and through this chain of events soon enough perhaps maybe now they have your bank account credentials?

Very very silly... I've tried hard to keep everything separate for years, and now they seem it's better for convenience matters to link everything together for you?

So again, this security with your cellphone? Exactly what does it do, other than give that person who maybe has hacked your account your mobile, giving them greater access to even more things?

I have a friend who gets paid to hack Bell systems for security testing, and I know very well how most of this stuff works because of my curiosity with everything involving computers. (You name it, Graphics, Video editing, Music, Programming....)

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Facebook wants users' cell numbers in bid to bolster security

JMH

Emeritus, Contributor

AceInfinity

Emeritus, Contributor

N_J

Emeritus, Contributor

AceInfinity

Emeritus, Contributor