Unable to delete facebook pictures/Weirdo sending messages

Freiheit

Hi not sure if this is the right place, because it's not that serious really,and might be more technology related, but I deleted them all via my phone a few months ago, and also via laptop. While they are no longer visible from my laptop ac, they appear to be all still there when I browse via my phone. And a weirdo in a far away place a few weeks ago started sending me sexual messages, he seemed to be able to see my pictures as he described some of them, said he found my number somewhere on the net, have no idea where. Any ideas as to how I could really delete them? ....

** I use Internet Explorer on my phone, and Firefox on my pc.

He hasn't sent me messages for a while, but I'm a little uneasy at the idea of this guy still stalking my photos, which I tried to delete a long time ago...have only 65 'friends', the vast majority of whom I do know, how did he get my number?...maybe something I bought on line? are these numbers shared?

Czarcasm

OP what phone model have you? Internet Explorer on it tells me it's more than likely a Windows Phone OS, but depending on what version you have, there are different methods to clear your Internet cache (maybe this might give you some idea of what to google for a method yourself?).

I know there last year some time there was a lot mentioned on various tech websites about some of the apps on your phone when they'd connect to the Internet, the apps would send your phone number as part of the website address to validate your account. Some people were setting up malicious websites that were able to retrieve your phone number, but as far as I'm aware it's been addressed now by the various phone manufacturers.

I'd say once you clear your cache you should be alright as well as your cache on Firefox, and it should go without saying that you have some anti-malware software installed on your computer. Your phone on the other hand, security software would be more optional for an average user.

Wrongway1985

Did you provide Facebook with your phone number? On desktop go to Settings>Privacy Settings on this page you can edit who can look up your telephone number change this to friends as opposed to everyone.

Photos also have different settings as to who you can allow see them you don't even have to delete them.

Tweaking settings for Facebook on yer phone is very limited sit down at your desktop and run through what you may need adjusting these will translate to the mobile device then.

Lou.m

Freiheit wrote: »

Hi not sure if this is the right place, because it's not that serious really,and might be more technology related, but I deleted them all via my phone a few months ago, and also via laptop. While they are no longer visible from my laptop ac, they appear to be all still there when I browse via my phone. And a weirdo in a far away place a few weeks ago started sending me sexual messages, he seemed to be able to see my pictures as he described some of them, said he found my number somewhere on the net, have no idea where. Any ideas as to how I could really delete them? ....

** I use Internet Explorer on my phone, and Firefox on my pc.

He hasn't sent me messages for a while, but I'm a little uneasy at the idea of this guy still stalking my photos, which I tried to delete a long time ago...have only 65 'friends', the vast majority of whom I do know, how did he get my number?...maybe something I bought on line? are these numbers shared?

Get a new phone and delete anyone on facebook you don't know and keep only RL people on FB for a while.

Sorry this happened to you OP obviously it goes without saying this is a very pathetic individual who is doing this and their aim is to scare you and get attention and make you feel powerless. Don't let them. I hope it is fixed. Go to the police if you feel you need to.

Stavro Mueller

If you're not careful with your privacy settings your phone number and email address definitely can be seen on Facebook. The same applies to your photos. As has been mentioned already, go into your privacy settings on your computer and lock down as much as you can to Friends only or to Only Me. Nobody can see my phone number on Facebook. I don't see the point of it. They have my number anyway and should they happen to lose it they can just send me a message on there.

As for the pictures still showing on your phone, it's possible that they're syncing with Facebook. Or the phone's set up to also have your Facebook photos displayed on it. You'll see a little blue f in the corner for those.

Seeing as you've a smartphone it is possible to block unwanted numbers. I'm typing this on a phone so copy/paste of links is a bit awkward. Just google it and you'll find apps and help online to block them.

I don't think you need it get a new phone but it'd be no harm to restore it to factory settings (back up your photos and contacts first!) and put reputable security software on it. Just to be sure more than anything else. I've a feeling your problem is more to do with your Facebook privacy settings though.

Joya

I can just add to previous posts that yu have to change immediately all your passwords on the email you used to registered to FB and on FB as well.

On your lap top and on your phone also delete all browsing history, all cache etc. If required go to Settings and use reset buttons to reset the browser to default.

On your laptop download and run Malwarebytes (you can use free version) and make sure to delete all malicious threats permanently, restart after you have done it then run it again until you have none malicious threats left.

As of sms messages he is sending you to your phone, I believe you will have to block his number, if you cannot do it yourself then go to your operator and let them do it for you.

Hope this helps.

Freiheit

Thanks all, have a Nokia Lumina, wasn't able to download anti-virus software for it, just didn't seem to work, even avg free, have McAfee on my Laptop (years sub came with it). He has stopped now after I told him that mentally healthy people don't behave this way, he took offence and I haven't heard from him since, but my stomach turns when I think that he can still see my photos... was told by E-mobile that his number can't be blocked, my only option would be to change number, but that's a lot of hastle......might be necessary but he has stopped the past few days......a lot of problems with fb, tried to change the associated email , didn't work, lot's of 'bugs' too....

Stavro Mueller

Have you tried this? http://blog.laptopmag.com/block-number-windows-phone-8 Or tried to find an app?

Was it on your own computer that you tried to change your Facebook settings? Maybe there is a problem with your laptop. Do you have access to another computer that you could try to change the Facebook settings on?

Also, try installing Malwarebytes (as suggested by Joya in a previous post) https://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/ You'd be surprised what can get onto your PC despite having anti-virus software.

Joya

Freiheit wrote: »

Thanks all, have a Nokia Lumina, wasn't able to download anti-virus software for it, just didn't seem to work, even avg free, have McAfee on my Laptop (years sub came with it). He has stopped now after I told him that mentally healthy people don't behave this way, he took offence and I haven't heard from him since, but my stomach turns when I think that he can still see my photos... was told by E-mobile that his number can't be blocked, my only option would be to change number, but that's a lot of hastle......might be necessary but he has stopped the past few days......a lot of problems with fb, tried to change the associated email , didn't work, lot's of 'bugs' too....

malwarebyte i mentioned - if you referred to it, is not anti virus program it is a software for detection and managing the malicious maleware, id recommend to run it anyway on your laptop, not on phone

also please do change email passwords and fb password.

Czarcasm

OP that sounds to me like you have one of the older Nokia Lumias that have Windows Phone 7 on them, whereas the links cymbaline gives there will only work for newer Windows Phone 8 phones, and they already have the call and sms blocking built in (just double checked on my Lumia 625 there now!), so the E-mobile guy wasn't fobbing you off, but getting a network block in place would require Garda intervention and a history of the harassment.

I'd say all you can do for now is just lock down your facebook to outsiders as much as you can. I know, I hate every time my wife asks me to clean up her facebook, the privacy settings page is so painful I'm almost tempted to say "to hell with this!", but it has to be done to allow her to browse online safely (a lot of sites now demand access to your facebook details, so a fake profile doesn't hurt either).

Hopefully OP you've heard the last from him anyway.

Stavro Mueller

In the circumstances, it might be worth setting up a dummy second profile to check what a randomer sees when they click on your profile. Assuming of course that the person harassing you wasn't actually one of your Facebook friends in the first place.

Lou.m

Joya wrote: »

I can just add to previous posts that yu have to change immediately all your passwords on the email you used to registered to FB and on FB as well.

On your lap top and on your phone also delete all browsing history, all cache etc. If required go to Settings and use reset buttons to reset the browser to default.

On your laptop download and run Malwarebytes (you can use free version) and make sure to delete all malicious threats permanently, restart after you have done it then run it again until you have none malicious threats left.

As of sms messages he is sending you to your phone, I believe you will have to block his number, if you cannot do it yourself then go to your operator and let them do it for you.

Hope this helps.

I couldn't block their number and O2 was useless I went to two diff guarda stations and was told I needed to write down the time if calls and messages and all that was said and ask O2 for their records . I even played a message on voicemail in which I was threatened. The guard behind the desk said it would save me a lot of hassle if I just got a totally new phone. So I did.

It was very scary because I have a horrible ex who left me scary messages at one point. You will think it is everyone under the sun!


Scan your computer regularly change passwords regularly.

You are probably not this persons only target by the OP.

In the circumstances, it might be worth setting up a dummy second profile to check what a randomer sees when they click on your profile. Assuming of course that the person harassing you wasn't actually one of your Facebook friends in the first place.

You don't need to do this an I don't think facebook allows it anyway. Just select view as in your privacy settings.


It could be a real friend. Or the guy could be bluffing and have once seen your photos and is pretending he still can to scare you. It is all about control and freaking you out. Don't let them.

Freiheit

Made someone a restricted user last night, on the basis that they would not be able to see my posts, yet they saw and commented, they are a friendly person in real life, but nothing thaI say to them is just between us, and privacy, to some extent is important to me. why did they see what I wrote?. I'm tempted just to close my ac altogether.....sorry to hear of your experience Lou

Big Bag of Chips

You are obviously missing out something in your settings. When you post, your default setting must be "everyone". You'll need to change that to "custom". As far as I'm aware you can only do that on the laptop when you are posting.. It's one of the many icons that appear along the bottom of the comment box.

Mobile sites and apps don't usually have as much functionality, and just give you the basics you need to live with.

It sounds like you need someone who knows a bit about privacy settings and Facebook to have a look for you. There's obviously a few things you're not doing right, or don't fully understand.

Stavro Mueller

Why not just block them? And check your Facebook to make sure people who aren't your friends can't see your photos etc. Thats where the dummy second account comes in useful.

Freiheit

how would a dummy second account work? would I rename the first?. There's a lot of people who I know and might be loosely friendly with them, like an old school colleague, who I might not object to having a connection with, but don't want them to see my personal business.... having had a few bad experiences that were f.b. related, well I might appear pedantic but I don't want the wider community knowing my life story....

Stavro Mueller

By a dummy account I mean you go set up a second Facebook account with another email address. Take a look at your profile as a non friend and see what shows up.

There is also an option to see your profile in the way your friends do. I can't tell you exactly where it is just now because I'm replying on my phone. It's definitely there.

I think Big Bag of Chips's suggestion that you get someone to take a look at your security and privacy settings is a good one. There are a lot of them in there and Facebook changes them every now and then.