With the amount of time we spend every day interacting with and using social media, we would hope by now that these websites are able to keep our private information just that—private.
But Reza Moaiandin, an online security expert, has recently claimed that our identities could be stolen at the drop of a hat—and all with the use of a single search on Facebook. Moaiandin claims that he wasn't even searching for flaws in Facebook's security when he came across the major privacy breach, which is all the more worrisome.
By merely entering someone's phone number in the search bar at the top of Facebook's site, hackers can access that person's name, location, picture and other super personal, private information. Afterwards, this information can easily be sold—and the rest is history.
There are currently 1.44 billion people using the popular social media site—what does this mean for online security on social media? Despite the terrifying possibilities of this kind of "reverse engineering," there is good news.
You can easily prevent the threat by simply not listing your phone number anywhere on your Facebook profile. If you don't link your phone number to your account, it cannot be linked to your online identity.
Also, maintaining strict privacy settings could also prevent potential hackers from swiping your identity through your Facebook profile.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
-
'Baby Reindeer' Is Netflix's Latest Viral Hit—Will It Get a Season 2?
The miniseries from Richard Gadd has a very definite ending.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The Best Unisex Perfumes Were Made to Be Shared
Yours, mine, and ours.
By Sophia Vilensky Published
-
The Spice Girls’ Mini-Reunion at Victoria Beckham’s 50th Birthday Party Is a Precursor for a Forthcoming Tour, Sources Say
“I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want”...is this to be true.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
By Andrea Park Published
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
Here's everything we know on the upcoming episodes.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
The 60 Best Musical Movies of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell Last updated
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy Last updated
-
35 Nude Movies With Porn-Level Nudity
Lots of steamy nudity ahead.
By Kayleigh Roberts Last updated
-
The Cast of 'The Crown' Season 5: Your Guide
The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recast—again.
By Andrea Park Published