Mashable recently did a poll to find out the top Facebook apps everyone is using. According to the poll, Farmville was #1 and Mafia Wars #2 . Out of all the top ten, the only two apps that I personally use are Static FBML and Twitter.
I use a few other apps not listed on Mashable’s top ten poll, some of my personal top Facebook apps include:
My advice for using Facebook apps is pretty much the same as my advice on using WordPress plugins: only use them when they will serve a need, and when you know how to use them. Facebook apps are vulnerable to hacking¹, and many Facebook apps have been hacked. No need to take unnecessary risk with your personal information, especially for newer, untested apps.
Are Facebook Apps Safe?
While I would not say that all Facebook apps are unsafe, I do believe that many of them are. One security researcher recently discovered that over 9,700 Facebook applications were vulnerable to attack, including some of the most widely used and considered safe applications (FarmVille, Causes, LivingSocial, Movies, Farm Town, and YoVille²).
I find the news of such a wide scale security issue with Facebook apps to be alarming. All the more reason to only use as few apps as you really need. It’s not worth risking the security of your personal information just to play an online game.
Choose your apps wisely and always seek to keep your personal information as secure as possible.
To Your Success,
P.S. What Facebook apps do you use?
I also love Network Blogs and FBML but my 4 other favorite ones so far that are making my fan page engaging are:
Social RSS for my blog posts – http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=23798139265
ShopTab for my products to show on my Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/ShopTabApp
Facebook Video – http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2392950137
Slideshare for showing off my presentations – http://www.facebook.com/applications/SlideShare/2490221586
Thanks for the heads-up on these FB apps Melissa! Off to check them out.