In light of password breaches on some popular sites
Facebook has announced it is beefing up its own
security. Seperately, the company also today officially
launched its the App Center.
New security measures
Facebook's new security measures include a login code
generator for users with Android devices as well as new
password recovery and spam-flagging tools for mobile
users.
The code generator allows Android-owning Facebook users
to use two-step authentication to log into the site even
when they have no cellular signal.
The Code Generator is "aimed at making it easier to
confirm logins made on new devices," said Facebook in a
post on its Security blog. "Before, if you had any
difficulties receiving SMS or had poor cellular service,
it was often tough to use Login Approvals easily. Now,
using Code Generator, users will be able to receive
Login Approval codes through your Facebook Application,
without waiting on an SMS, and it will work regardless
of whether you have cellular or Internet access."
Android owners can visit http://on.fb.me/LoginApprovals
to set up Code Generator on their device.
Mobile owners on Facebook?s touch-enabled site are also
now able to mark unwanted posts in their News Feed as
spam by clicking on the 'Comment' link and choosing from
the "hide story" or "report/mark as spam" options shown
after clicking the icon in the upper right-hand corner
of the screen.
Facebook users who discover their account has been
compromised can now take action via their mobile too.
"Did a hacker login from across the globe? You can
review that login and reset your password on your phone,
"Facebook said. "We've even extended our social
authentication tool to work on your phone to give you
even more ways to get back into your account."
A few daya ago, Last.fm and LinkedIN reported that a
significant number of their users' passwords leaked
online. LinkedIn said it is working with the FBI to
investigate a cyber attack in which 6.5 million of its
users' passwords were stolen. However, the company says
that only a small subset had been decoded successfully.
App Center
Facebook also today officiall yopened its App Center, a
web place packed with mobile and web apps, such as Draw
Something, Pinterest, and Nike+ GPS, and new apps
including Jetpack Joyride, Ghosts of Mistwood, and Ghost
Recon Commander.
The App Center gives users personalized recommendations,
and lets them browse the apps their friends use. It
lists apps based on feedback from people who use the
app.
The App Center is available in the Facebook iOS and
Android apps, as well as Facebook.com.
Users can send their apps they find on their computers
to their mobile device using the new "Send to Mobile"
feature. If a mobile app requires a download, users will
be sent to install it from the Apple App Store or
Google Play.
Every app in the App Center has screenshots and a
detailed description, shows the information an app needs
and lets users choose who can see their activity on
Facebook.
The App Center will begin rolling out to people in the
U.S. today, with more than 600 apps. It will be
available to everyone in the coming weeks.