How to Avoid Being Found on Facebook by a Mutual Friend

Change your privacy settings to hide your activity from certain mutual friends.

Facebook makes it easy for you connect with people, friends, acquaintances and family members in your life. Occasionally, you may know of a mutual friend on Facebook that you'd rather not interact with. By adjusting your Facebook privacy settings, you can ensure that you're not visible to those who search for you via Facebook's search features. By blocking your identity from mutual friends on Facebook, you can avoid awkward interactions with those you'd rather avoid.

Instructions

1. Log in to your Facebook profile. Click "Account," at the top right-hand corner of your Facebook homepage. Click "Privacy Settings."

2. Find the option that is titled "Connecting on Facebook" and click on "View Settings." This controls who can and can't find you using the search function on Facebook.

3. Set the drop-down menu next to "Search for You on Facebook" option to "Friends Only." Now, the only people who will see you when they search for your name is those who you've already accepted as friends.

4. Click "Back to Privacy." Under "Sharing on Facebook," choose "Friends Only." This ensures that your information, pictures and interests are shared with friends only.

5. Click "Edit your lists" found at the bottom of the page, under the "Block Lists" heading. Enter the name and email address of the person you'd like to avoid in the "Block Users" field. This ensures that the person won't be able to contact you in any way. When you place an individual on your block list, Facebook will make you virtually invisible to that person, even when you comment on mutual friends' status updates and photos.

References

• Sophos.com: Facebook Security Best Practices