How to Delete Your Facebook Account and Improve PC Security

The cat is out of the bag — more than 87 million Facebook users have had their data compromised. Everything from names and birthdays to private messages were collected by a data engineering firm called Cambridge Analytica... even if you didn't give them permission.

Now, you have the same questions on your mind as thousands of other people affected by the situation. How do you delete Facebook? What else should you be doing to protect your data? What else is at risk?

In the wake of any data breach, these questions are always important to ask. Unfortunately, the answers aren't always easy to understand. You need to learn as much as you can about how to protect your privacy and your data online.

"How do I delete my Facebook?"

This is the first and foremost question on many people's minds right now... and it's a tricky one. The reason it's tricky is because there's a difference between deactivating your Facebook account and deleting it.

Facebook makes it easy to deactivate your account, but that doesn't mean it's gone forever. Instead, it's just in limbo — you can't see your profile and neither can your friends. The problem is, your data still exists because your account technically still exists.

If you really want to delete Facebook permanently, you're going to need to take a few extra steps. Here's how it works:

  • You submit a request to permanently delete your account in your account settings menu.
  • Facebook processes the request and marks the account for deletion within 3-7 days.
  • If you log in at all after requesting a deletion, the process is automatically voided and your account remains active.
  • Things not stored in your account, like messages or Instagram photos, will remain active. These things must be deleted separately.

If you're truly concerned about your data and have decided to permanently delete Facebook, it's time to take the plunge. Here's the link to delete your Facebook account forever. Good luck!

"What else can I do to protect my data?"

With your Facebook account pending permanent deletion, it's time to turn your attention to the other ways you can protect your data. That starts by checking out the PC you use on a daily basis, to make sure it's safe, secure and optimized

Virus scanning

The easiest thing you can do is to scan your computer for viruses and malware — both of which may be putting you at further risk.

Download a reputable free PC cleaner and set it to scan your operating system completely. This should turn up any malware, spyware, adware, viruses or corrupted files that could be used to compromise your data. And, if you find them, make sure they're quarantined and deleted as quickly as possible.

Old programs

Old applications you no longer use may seem harmless if left on your computer, however they're actually a data risk. When these apps aren't updated, they become vulnerable to security exploits that can compromise your data. To make sure you're protected, it's smart to either remove or update these programs with a free PC cleaner application.

You can also go one step further to locate registry errors and other system clutter left behind by these old programs. This will ensure any old, useless data left behind is cleaned up and removed from your PC.

Privacy protection

If you're tidying up your computer and making sure your data is safe, be sure to also check out any privacy protection capabilities offered by programs. This can include things like a web browser's incognito mode, which wipes your internet usage history, deletes browser cookies and clears your browser cache. You might also explore something like a password generator when setting up accounts that require sensitive personal information, so you can rely on a strong password that you don't need to actively remember. These things are easier than learning how to delete Facebook and can be done in just seconds.

Check your data

Finally, it's always a good idea to make sure you know what data you're making public and what data might be at risk. Log into your frequently used accounts like Google or Amazon and make sure your privacy settings are properly configured. It's a good idea to go through as many accounts as you can to either limit or restrict data sharing that could make you vulnerable. Doing this self-audit is a great way to give yourself peace of mind, in addition to permanently deleting Facebook and utilizing a free PC cleaner.

Be mindful of your data

Data breaches happen every day — it's just a harsh fact in our digital age. You may not always be able to control how your data is being used, but you can take steps to limit how much is available. Follow the tips in this article to get yourself in a better position to protect your data and your PC in the event of the next data breach. Permanently delete Facebook, check your PC's security and be mindful of the information you're sharing