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Can I connect my Gmail and Facebook accounts?

Kind of a weird request, but I'm wondering if there's a way to minimize my logins when I'm at an Internet Café so that I can log in to one service, like Gmail, and be automatically logged in to Facebook?


Dave's Answer:

Oh boy, I'd be careful with this one, my friend! As soon as I see "Internet Café" and realize that you're talking about using their computer, not your own, I have a vision of black clouds and lightening bolts of danger, keystroke loggers, spyware, and identity theft. To be fair, they're not all like that, but my counsel to you is that you need to be very, very leery of those rows of computers, and even more so in far-flung places as you travel about. With the right kind of malware and such even SSL connections won't protect you. Heck, even using your own computer might not be complete protection from trouble arising, but that's another story.

I was skeptical that there was any way to be automatically logged in to Facebook if you've already logged into your Gmail account, but I figured that it was worth some investigation, and indeed, you're right and there is a way to do just that!

Keeping in mind my earlier caveats about your security and privacy, here's how to set it up...

Log in to your Facebook account and click on "Settings" --> "Account Settings" on the top right. You should end up here:

facebook my account settings

Near the bottom of this page is what we seek:

facebook my account settings linked accounts

Click on the small "change" link and a menu will magically appear:

facebook my account settings linked accounts 2

Choose "Google"...

facebook my account settings linked accounts 3

(aside: isn't it weird to think that you can connect your MySpace and Facebook accounts? Somehow it seems like two incompatible worlds colliding!)

A bit tedious, but now it'll show you "Google" and you still have to take another step:

facebook my account settings linked accounts 4

Yup, that's right, click on the "Link New Account" button.

A new window pops up and asks for permission to link your Google Gmail account to your Facebook account:

facebook my account settings linked accounts google

Looks good? Click on "Allow" and off ya go:

facebook my account settings linked accounts gmail

I'm still not entirely sure this is a good idea but you asked and now you have an answer. Perhaps you (or anyone else who has done this) can share more of why you think this makes sense and isn't a potential risk?


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Categorized: Google Gmail Help   (Article 9293, Written by )
Tagged: account security, facebook, google, google gmail, identity theft
Previous: Can I change my Hotmail theme or appearance?
Next: How can I reorganize or reorder the apps on my Apple iPhone 3GS?




Reader Comments To Date: 15

Rob Brewer said, on February 5, 2010 9:31 AM:

The only way I see that this could be a good idea at an Internet Cafe is if you used your own browser from an USB flash drive, like Portable Firefox (http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable) If you were able to configure it to automatically log you in to your GMail account (and Facebook using the instructions above) you could actually minimize your exposure, especially to keylogging devices and applications. Just a thought - I certainly haven't tried it myself.

JANKI said, on April 30, 2010 5:06 AM:

CHANGE MY BIRTHDAY

trageno said, on October 19, 2010 11:44 AM:

thankz...!

danieljj said, on April 3, 2011 10:14 AM:

to confirm my email to facebook

Sarah said, on April 22, 2011 12:47 AM:

I tried the google linkup when it first became available and was disgusted that it only works on the computer you set it up on - it uses cookies.

I went to a friends place, wanted to show her how to do something on facebook, logged into gmail and wasn't able to be logged into facebook.

They may have changed that but thats how it was when it was first launched.

wilford said, on July 20, 2011 11:39 AM:

its great

Vibhu25 said, on August 19, 2011 3:05 AM:

I want to link my account with gmail

Raj said, on November 1, 2011 10:32 AM:

Plese add my accaunt on facebook

DEV VERMA said, on January 20, 2012 6:47 PM:

Plz connect me on facebook

suscallister@gmail.com said, on March 20, 2012 1:54 PM:

My facebook lost gmail. Yahoo blocked me. I tried to have two different ways. Go back to Gmail for facebook.

Thank you

nazareth fernandes said, on June 4, 2012 11:46 AM:

Please connect me to facebook

omar shamsan said, on October 6, 2012 3:50 AM:

I didn't receive any sms for the security purpose since last two weeks.Please send me the text message on my email (al_hager_500@yahoo.com) mobile (00966-543839063).If you can call me after sending to verify that i have receive.

Rishoopathak said, on December 28, 2012 1:24 AM:

Goodafternoon

Abhishek Singh said, on January 6, 2013 7:16 AM:

Now a days (january 2013), I can not see the "Link account" option in facebook "account setting".
but i want to link my facebook account with Gmail. How can I do this. Plz help me.

virender kumar said, on January 26, 2013 2:14 AM:

how to connect my facebook account with my new gmail account

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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