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Resolved Question

how anonymous can I make a Facebook account?

Jun 2, 2014 3:24PM PDT

I apologize if this is the wrong forum, please redirect me if appropriate.

Although I am extremely reluctant to have anything to do with FB, (a) it hasn't been replaced by the Next Big Thing and (b) I would like to see the pics my adult children post.

I got the Dummies All in One for FB and have looked over it but I see a few pitfalls: I don't want to put a pic of me, or a phone number, and I had planned to create an email solely for the FB account.

I only want to see the pics of my 2 children and the spouse of one of them. I might add favorite radio station or things of that nature, more as fandom things since I would have a page anyway but I have no intention of posting anything anywhere. Absolute lurkdom is my goal. Is it doable?

Thanks for any advice!

Discussion is locked

Dawn_31 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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If lurkdom is that goal, don't use FB
Jun 3, 2014 1:10AM PDT

It's that simple.

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anonymous/lurkdom FB
Jun 3, 2014 2:27AM PDT

I've been avoiding FB for years, but the reality is that I miss out on a lot so I have to seriously consider how much I want to sacrifice my privacy in order to not miss out on more ( if that makes sense ).

Is there a legitimate reason they would ever need a phone number? I can't imagine a scenario in which FB would need to text or call me.

I can create an email just for FB, and use a generic pic, but having to use my real phone number is a sticking point.

I accept that I will have some presence but I really want to minimize it as much as possible.

Thanks

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FB is Bad Medicine
Jun 3, 2014 2:35AM PDT

I stay clear of it. You give up all privacy once in that system.
I use e-mail and that's not even private anymore.
Digger

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There is a lot of advice on the web.
Jun 3, 2014 2:43AM PDT

But the bottom line is to, well, why not get your FB page, then never link it or post anything there?

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An empty FB is a good thing.
Jun 3, 2014 11:12AM PDT
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Phone Number ....
Jun 3, 2014 3:22PM PDT

I don't blame anyone for not trusting FB, I was on that website daily for a few years. I put an end to that, and now I log in about once a year (if that.)

One way you could bypass handing out your phone number to FB......you could just give them a fake number. Sometimes I hand out the number to information (555-1212) so they can look my number up themselves (and get nowhere.) You could also go to "Fake Name Generator" where you can have a complete identity randomly created for your use (including fake phone number.)

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it's easy to answer quesions your way: improvise
Jun 12, 2014 11:03AM PDT

1. A name can have as few as two letters as first and two as last.
2. Get an email address from msn or yahoo using your new name.
3. Create a unique FB password you've never and won't use elsewhere.
4. For phone, use (any area code) + 555.1212
5. No need to add a photo. Use any image
6. Be creative in listing birthdays, address etc.
7. Skip any question if it's not required.
8. Keep a record of every creative bit of info somewhere other than on your device.
Try pencil, paper and a keep it in a clear bag in your freezer.

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555 number
Jun 13, 2014 10:57AM PDT

I put a 555 phone number on mine. I don't do much on FB, but it has worked for the few things I do

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FB is bad medicine, but so, IMHO, is R. Proffitt
Jun 5, 2014 10:44AM PDT

Did you not read the part about wanting to view her children's FB pictures? That's a HUGE deal in this digital age, especially for Grandparents! These days, few people give you a handful of printed pictures to view and keep forever. You have to have at least some digital savvy just to access those cherished pictures of your grandchildren, let alone try to print them for yourself. And not EVERYONE is very trusting of big business anymore, especially online big business (check out the news).

You have made three posts to this thread and at least two of them have offered nothing but outright sarcastic and insulting comments that provided no help whatsoever.

1. "If lurkdom is that goal, don't use FB. It's that simple."

That's not useful, that's not helpful. That completely ignores Dawn's questions and needs and is overtly sarcastic and insulting.

2. "There is a lot of advice on the web. But the bottom line is to, well, why not get your FB page, then never link it or post anything there?"

Again, blatantly insulting and sarcastic, offering no help, at all.

And yes, there is a lot of advice on the web. In fact, you could probably answer any question that comes to mind with a little research on the web. But, do you think that is going to stop people from asking questions on forums. In fact, why do you think forums exist in the first place?Very simply, to offer people a place to ask questions, most, if not all of which, they could answer on the web for themselves. So, telling someone on a forum that there is a lot of advice on the web is one of the biggest non-answers you could offer.

3. The jury is still out on your third post. You posted a link to a HuffPost article entitled, 'Why Your Empty Facebook Profile Is A Good Sign.' My thought is you offered it up like a left-handed compliment, implying Dawn is a lonely person, but, as I said, the jury is still deliberating on that decision. At the very least, it completely ignores Dawns questions and needs and offers her no help.

Since you have nothing useful and helpful to offer, why don't you stay out of the thread altogether?

I'm not sure how you acquired your 'moderator' title, but IMHO, you are abusing that status and I think someone should moderate you. IMHO.

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Facebook is getting creepier. If that was possible.
Jun 5, 2014 10:54AM PDT
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This just in. Well, not Facebook's fault.
Jun 5, 2014 12:32PM PDT
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thanks, letsgetthis
Jun 5, 2014 3:00PM PDT

I have seen a couple of different "studies" about people who don't post. IMO the sample size is too small, and I doubt they ask the One Big Question : why do you not post to your FB account?

In my case, because it's nobody's business, especially Zuckerburg & Co. I prefer to send texts, emails, phone calls - even snail mail!! If I want someone to know I can tell them. I feel no need to tell the world what I am doing every second of every day.

So thanks, letsgetthis, for seeing that I am just trying to do this with the least amount of risk to my privacy (yes, I still have that delusion Wink . )
I had already planned an email just for FB, and from the posts here it seems that I should easily be able to create a profile with a phone number that is not mine, and invented name, etc.<div>
I plan to tell only 3 people I have an acct & the info, so any leaks will be easy to track (bwa ha ha)/
<div>
I tried to remove the FB app from my phone but it appears I can only disable it - came pre-loaded. I wasn't planning to use FB on my phone anyway, certainly not after today's tidbit in the news.

I am seriously thinking of setting up & using a FB account only at the library computer, for extra security.
</div>
I am running Windows Defender and Malwarebytes - is that enough? I have a Windows 8.1 OS and I downloaded the free Zonealarm Antivirus and Firewall and then had to remove it because it throttled the speed on my computer.

Thanks for your advice,

Dawn
</div>

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Hope it helps
Jun 5, 2014 6:39PM PDT

Dawn,

I apologize for not offering any helpful info concerning your original post, in my first post. I would agree with the, it's-none-of-their-business/alias/false information approach. It sounds as though you're sufficiently vigilant about protecting your online privacy from all of these companies who feel they have an absolute right to own it.

As for the antivirus software, I run Windows 7 with Microsoft Security Essentials (not sure how that compares to Windows Defender), along with Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware. None of them catch everything. I figure what one misses, another might catch. I was going to caution you about running more than one antivirus software at the same time, but you already found out what happens when you do that.

It sounds to me like you're very computer savvy, you know what to do and how to do it digitally and you stay on top of things like this. My wish is for a button we could push that would get us everything all those companies have to offer, but only give them a "fake" email address: Sort of a turn-the-tables button.

Best of luck to you,
letsgetthis

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re Keep your page as minimum as possible
Jun 8, 2014 4:12AM PDT

thank you, that covers all the questions I had!

I never had a problem with XP security and I had Zonealarm, and a couple of adware/spyware things - all free versions. I think my ex also random scans with pc cillin or something like that.

I had hoped to have Zonealarm on Windows 8.1 but it just doesn't seem to work well, whether Windows Defender is off or on.

So far I haven't seen problems, but a Windows security on Windows OS just feels like the fox guarding the hen house.....not to be paranoid.

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Keep your page as minimum as possible
Jun 6, 2014 12:36PM PDT

I've had a facebook account for several years. There is nothing on it except my (real) name, my picture and my gender. I, too, don't feel the need to advertise my every move. But I do have (real life) friends who like to share things on their page, and I enjoy keeping up with them.

Every once in a while I go into my privacy settings and make sure the only person that things on my page can be shared with is me. I have no 'friends', I think there are some 'likes' on there from other pages I have visited, but that's it.

I've never had any problems having the FB page as it is. I think you can set up a page and control just how much you want to share. As others have said, if you're really nervous about it, use an assumed name and phone #. I don't recall having to put in my phone number, but perhaps somewhere along the line I did.

I totally understand wanting to keep up with your children's lives, and if FB is the way they chose to communicate, post pictures, etc. then you may need to compromise and conform to it.

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Lack of information
Jun 12, 2014 6:21AM PDT

I don't notice you posting anything useful. why don't you take your own advice?

Do something like I did fpr a second account. fake name, new yahoo accountmade up data.

The phone number is if you forget your password they can verify you are you. mine is not posted anywhere.

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Sorry, you must have...
Jun 12, 2014 8:26AM PDT

missed my second post. Check it out above and maybe the one just above that.

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Answer
When I want to do something w/FB, I use a pure alias
Jun 3, 2014 2:44AM PDT

I don't ever give FB anything real about me other than an email address I use primarily for spam. It scares the bejesus out of me.

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re When I want to do something w/FB, I use a pure alias
Jun 8, 2014 4:07AM PDT

thanks, I had already decided to fake up an email just for FB, but it's always nice to hear that it works just fine to do so.

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Answer
I use an alias
Jun 6, 2014 12:34AM PDT

Nothing on it is real. Just sign up for some of the TV and sports updates to your timeline and it looks really busy too.

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Answer
Why mess with FB at all ?
Jun 6, 2014 1:44AM PDT

If all you want to do is share photo's and such, why not just use Dropbox or Photobucket or Tiny Pics .

No phone number or personal info involved, just a junk e-mail address...

Digger

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(NT) because everyone's ridiculous relatives use it
Jun 6, 2014 3:08AM PDT
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Answer
No Phone Number
Jun 7, 2014 9:15AM PDT

Dawn, I have such a FB account such as you describe. I set it up only to keep up with a few distant family members. I used my first name, middle name (no last name). I've never given FB my last name nor my phone number. I disabled all apps, games, etc. If you want to set up an account using a fictitious name, who's to know? Notify your family members of your fictitious name and they will know who you are.Hope that helps.

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re no phone number
Jun 8, 2014 4:05AM PDT

Thank you , good to know. I hadn't even thought about games & apps !

I like the Dummies series but to look at the FB one, you have to give real info and phone # and so on.

I am really happy to know that isn't true!

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Answer
Not Using it Anymore
Jun 8, 2014 7:19PM PDT

I have deactivated my FB account for more than 7 months and yes I am not missing it in any way. Rather I am enjoying using twitter for all of my purposes of posting and sharing.

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Answer
I did not choose the best answer!
Jun 9, 2014 1:06PM PDT

Not sure why it says that. And certainly the post I am supposed to have chosen is one of the least helpful responses. Is there a way to undo/rechoose?

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I can remove my answer if you ask.
Jun 10, 2014 1:15AM PDT