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Facebook asks users to provide mobile numbers to improve security
TT Correspondent |  |  18 Jun 2012

In a bid to ward off the security concerns, Facebook is asking each of its more than 900million active users to provide it with their mobile phone number, Reports daily mail.

The move is significant as recently there have been reports of hacking of passwords of LinkedIn and eHarmony users. Millions of Facebook users have already seen a link at the top of their desktop news feed requesting them to follow 'simple security tips'.

The US-based LinkedIn acknowledged that some of its 160 million members' have had their passwords compromised after British security company Sophos found more than six million of the encrypted passwords in a file online. InternetNZ chief executive Vikram Kumar recommended all members changed their passwords as there was no guarantee that more passwords had not been leaked.

John Kendall, a security director at computer company Unisys, also stressed that the 'real danger' was that hackers might try to use people's LinkedIn details to gain access to other services, such as their email or online banking accounts.

Facebook users are told not to use the same password for their Facebook and email accounts. The page also has tips on how to spot scams. “One of the top ways that people get locked out of their account is by falling for scams,” says a Facebook engineer in a video.

Users are also urged to give Facebook their mobile phone numbers, which the company says will use to text them a new password in the event of a data breach.

According to CNET, 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.

Possession of users' cell phone numbers could allow Facebook to immediately wipe out passwords and send users new ones via text message, avoiding the delay inherent in waiting for users to follow e-mailed warnings to reset their passwords.
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18 Jun 2012(IST)  
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