Facebook announced it will make the Timeline profile mandatory for all users in coming weeks, inciting mixed reactions from users.
The Timeline offers a linear, chronological display of activity and makes archived Facebook data readily available.
The profile features a list of years in the upper right-hand corner that users can click to view content from the selected yea. Timeline makes old relationships, birthday wishes and photos more accessible.
Upon activating Timeline, users have seven days to review and clean up their profiles before they go live and are viewable to the public. Users may hide information and add events from past years.
The Facebook Timeline encourages users to enter more personal details about themselves and their life experiences, while making it simpler for others to view the information. There are concerns that this will instantly make it easier for identity thieves and stalkers to profile individuals.
According to a Sophos survey about 50% users are concerned with the new feature.
The online Sophos poll surveyed more than 4,100 global respondents on their opinion of the
Key findings from the research include-
• 51 percent are worried by the Facebook Timeline
• Only 8 percent like the new Facebook Timeline
• 8 percent say they will get used to it
• 32 percent still don’t know why they are on Facebook
“The Facebook Timeline will be a wake-up call for some who have shared too much in the past, too freely. In my case, the Timeline was the catalyst to reassess my relationship with Facebook – and so I’ve killed my account,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos “If nothing else, Facebook users should take this opportunity to re-evaluate what they share online. It is time to spring clean your Facebook account and online relationships, and ensure you are only sharing what you want to share and with who you want to share. After all, a website that holds details of your entire life, likes and loves, is gold dust for scammers.”
“A lot of people will decide that they don’t like Timeline and start looking for ways to revert to their old profiles. Scam artists and ‘clickjackers’ are getting ready for that day, offering bogus links on Facebook that promise Timeline removal,” points cyber security vendor ESET.
“So far, Facebook has not been able to keep up with the policing of these scams. I see no warnings on the Facebook Security page about claims to deactivate Timeline. Unless Facebook changes its mind and makes Timeline optional, the bottom line is that you will have to live with it and avoid the temptation to click on links promising to help you deactivate, remove, or disable Timeline,” says Stephen Cobb, security evangelist for ESET.
