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Home > Editor's Blog > Articles > The AnswerBank and Facebook Introduction, FAQ & Staying Safe Guide

The AnswerBank and Facebook Introduction, FAQ & Staying Safe Guide

16:00 Thu 05th May 2011 | Editor's Blog


AnswerBank users can now log into The AnswerBank with their Facebook accounts should they wish to. Those who aren't already a member of The AnswerBank can now validate their account by signing in with Facebook - although you still need to register with The AnswerBank of course!



We understand there may be a lot of questions about the link between The AnswerBank and Facebook. We intend to try and answer most of those questions here and offer some great advice for staying safe online in general, and Facebook in particular.



Please use the table of contents to find specific information, clicking on a title will "jump" the page to that section.


Table of Contents



FAQ




Staying Safe On Facebook Guide


 

Why?


Facebook is increasingly becoming an online passport with many users expecting to be able to use it to gain quick entry to sites.



We also found one of the biggest problems users of The AnswerBank were facing was forgetting log in details and not receiving validation or password reset emails. Facebook log in and validation will take one small step towards removing friction from these processes.



For those of you who never forget passwords, it can, if you wish, remove a few clicks from the signing in process.


 

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What about my private information?


We do not store any data from Facebook, certainly not your password or similarly sensitive information.



The system works a little bit like Gravatar, The AnswerBank's system for adding avatar portraits to your profile. The AnswerBank looks at the Facebook profile you're logged in with and checks if the email address used matches. If it does it logs you in with the corresponding AnswerBank username.



In short the only information we ask from Facebook is information you have already given us!



 


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Can other The AnswerBank users see my profile, or that I've logged in via Facebook?


No. There is no indication that you've used Facebook to log in at all.


 

Can Facebook users see that I've logged into The AnswerBank?


No. There is no indication to your Facebook friends that you're using The AnswerBank.


 

Do I have to?


There is absolutely no obligation to use Facebook to sign in or validate your account. You'll be able to log in normally without Facebook connect and you can have activation emails resent in the normal way (but please check your spam folder!).



 


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Why can't I sign into The AnswerBank with Facebook?


This is probably because the email address you've used for Facebook doesn't match your AnswerBank email address.


How do I change my email address on Facebook?


  • Visit here: https://www.facebook.com/editaccount.php
  • Click "change" next to Email on the settings tab
  • Enter the email address you are using on The AnswerBank
  • Click "Add New Email"
  • You'll be asked to enter your Facebook Password. Enter it and click confirm.
  • Visit your email inbox, find the email from Facebook & confirm the change by clicking the link.
  • Return to the settings page and set this as your primary email for Facebook.


How do I change my email address on The AnswerBank?


  • Visit here: http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/user/edit_profile.php
  • Change email address, and enter it again to confirm. Be sure to use an email address not previously used on The AnswerBank and that the address you are using is the one you use to log into Facebook.
  • Scroll down and click "Submit"
  • Done!

 

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More Questions?


If you have a question which you wish to be answered, please contact us on the following email address: [email protected]



We will add to this FAQ as more questions come in.


 

Staying safe on Facebook Guide


It is easy to get worried about Facebook and online privacy, especially with so many rumours flying about. To this end we've created a guide for staying safe on Facebook. Please read on to find the best tips for staying safe and protecting your privacy on Facebook, if you'd like to view the contents for this section, please click here.


 

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Introduction: Our Connections


We've all got different kinds of connections with different kinds of people in our lives.



We've got friend who we grew up with and have been a permanent fixture in our lives. We have colleagues (and, sadly, pictures taken at the office party). We have aquaintances met through clubs, groups and hobbies. There are old school friends. We have family.



And yes, we make friends with people on the internet too.



Frankly sometimes we'd prefer if these connections didn't cross and get tangled. Until recently keeping the various parts of your life separate online, and particularly on Facebook, was tricky.



However, as reaction to many's privacy concerns Facebook now offer a great many ways to customize your privacy and keep different groups of friends away from certain parts of your life.


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How to create a Facebook friends list



Lists allow you to share content with only a certain group of people. You can create on any theme you like. You might want to start by creating a list of people you've met through The AnswerBank, or maybe those who also take part in a club.



Here's how to create a list:


  • Visit your friends page here: http://www.facebook.com/friends/edit/?sk=all
  • Click "Create a List"
  • Name your list something appropriate, for example "AnswerBankers"
  • Search for users to add to it with the search box 
  • Click "Create List"

Repeat the process until you have as many lists as you need.



 


 

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Using list for Custom Facebook Privacy


Lists can be used to customise your privacy settings on Facebook.



You can see your privacy settings here: http://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=privacy have a look to see if you're happy with the pre-defined groups of people seeing your Facebook content.


Customizing your Facebook Privacy Settings



If you'd like a more nuanced approach, you can achieve this by customizing your Facebook privacy.



Click Customize settings to see more ways to customize your Facebook privacy settings.



If you'd like to only share your relationship status with your close friend and family click the drop-down to the right of the relationships row. 



Select customize. You can choose from some pre-defined demographics such as "Friends Only", "Friends of Friends" & "Only Me"



The option we're interested in however is "Specific People" - this allows you to choose who sees your Facebook content by using individuals and lists. 


  • Select "Specific People"
  • Begin typing the name of a list (For example, "AnswerBankers"). The name of the list should pop up for you to select.
  • Select it, and enter any more lists or individuals you'd like to share this content with.
  • Click "Save Settings"
  • That part of your profile can now only be seen by the uses of that list (and any others you added).

You can also hide aspects of your profile from other Facebook users and groups in the same way by filling in the "Hide this from" field on the custom pirvacy pop-up.


Previewing Your Facebook Profile Privacy



Once you've added all your custom settings you may want to check how it is working.



Click the preview button in the top right hand corner of the Custom Facebook Privacy Page.



You should not see your profile with the message: "This is how your Profile looks to most people on Facebook"



Below this there should be a search box. Type the name of a friend or list in there, click their name and you'll see what they will see when they view your profile.



If you're happy with this: job done! If not, you may want to rethink which elements of your profile you wish to hide from certain Facebook Friends.


 

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Facebook Groups & Pages


One of the nicest aspects of Facebook is the way it can put you into contact with others who share your more eccentric hobbies and pass-times.



There are a few things to be aware of when you join a group or like a page. 


  • The information that you've liked a page or joined a group is likely to be displayed to other members at least, and possibly to everyone if the group is entirely public.
  • When you "like" something it is likely that all of your friends will see that you have done so.

With this in mind it is best to make sure you have your privacy set to exclude others from seeing your profile, should they click through to it from a group. Please read the above tips regarding setting your privacy to a comfortable level.



 


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Want to be our Friend?


The AnswerBank has it's very own Facebook profile and Facebook page. Why not come and be our friend, or "like" us?



 


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