FB: public, private and protected

(like variables!)

Just a while ago I changed my privacy settings in FB, after I saw a wall post about the privacy settings that every FB user should know. It occurred to me that my FB's not private enough to protect myself from nuisance, embarrassment, and all those stuff we don't want to get from social networking sites.

Like one time I got a wall post from a friend -it was his/her comment to my comment for her album MONTHS ago. Of course it was ok for everyone to read that, but really, I had no idea about what he/she posted (until after 5 mins? haha!) One time too I got a wall post from a relative (quite oldy), asking how we are now since it's been a long time we last saw each other, blah blah. it was really long and informative, it should have been a private message (maybe he/she didn't know how to send a message? haha). Then several times I got invitations from people I don't know, people who are not even related to my friends.

So there, I changed my settings -now my profile could be seen only by my friends and their friends, all other stuff like the basic info, personal info, statuses, tagged photos, etc could be seen only by my friends, and only selected friends can post on my wall. Also, highlights (like change in relationship status, profile pic, etc) will no longer be posted on my wall. I really don't see the need to announce these stuff.

Social networking sites are really fun to use, but we must not overlook this privacy thing (as for me). I know a lot who lost money through stolen ATM cards because their PINs are their birthdays (that's just an example, of course by now we should know that birthdays shouldn't be used as PINs! haha!) I also know a lot who became really hot subjects in gossips because everyone could see their relationship/school/work status. I really don't want that, I just want FB to be that site where I could use cool applications, re-connect to old friends, announce relevant info and share funny photos, links, or videos. hehe.