OPSEC, you and Facebook

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kelly Goonan
  • 439th Airlift Wing
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  To keep yourself, your family, and your unit safe, follow these tips when using your personal Facebook or other social media.
•NEVER post specific times/dates of deployments.
Specifically if you post departure and return dates, it not only gives our enemies the time frame you will be on a mission but also informs local criminals of when you’ll be away.
•NEVER post deployment location names. If you are deploying, wait until you arrive at your new unit and contact public affairs there to make certain the location is releasable.
•NEVER post numbers of troops deploying or returning.
•NEVER “check into” a location, it tells an unfriendly where you are in real time it also can give away a location of a muster.
•NEVER discuss sensitive and/or classified information.
•NEVER endorse or imply endorsement of products that would make it look like an Air Force endorsement.
•RECOMMEND avoiding using a default picture of yourself in uniform. You‘re making yourself a target to “third party” watchers and you’re unintentionally portraying yourself as a spokesperson for the Air Force.
•RECOMMEND ensuring complete privacy settings. Your friends and family should be the only ones able to view your complete profile, as well as pictures or “highlights” on your “Facebook wall”.
Remember profile pictures as well as cover photos will be available for external users to view no matter what security measures you use.
Enable privacy settings on Facebook.
1. Go to “Privacy Settings” from the drop down menu near the “Home” button on top right corner of Facebook page.
2. Ensure “Friends” circle is selected or “Custom” your settings.
Being aware of who is checking you into locations and how to check yourself into a location: https://www.facebook.com/about/location
To preview your profile as general public (non-friends) can see it:
1. Click your profile to view your wall, not your news feed.
2. Click the * looking icon on the right hand side, drop down menu choose “View As…” and it will automatically convert what your “wall” looks like to the Public.
3. Scroll through your wall to ensure the general public cannot view anything you don’t want them to.
*Refer AFI 1-1, 2.15. It’s YOUR job to keep yourself, your family and our mission safe.