In today’s digital age, having your Facebook account hacked is a nightmare for many. With personal information, contacts, and even business pages at stake, it’s crucial to safeguard your Facebook account against hackers.
Did your Facebook account get hacked? Or someone you know did? The Survey says that 77% of Facebook users had their accounts hacked. And it’s quite distressing to be in this situation especially the consequences it will brought to you afterwards.
Your personal information and conversations will be compromised. As such, the hackers may take advantage of them to solicit money from your contacts and friends by pretending to be you.
Well, it’s almost impossible to retrieve your Facebook account once it was hacked, so in this article, we are going to teach you how to secure and protect your Facebook account from hackers and criminals.
Tips to Prevent your Facebook Account from Getting Hacked Here are practical tips to keep your Facebook account secure and protect your personal data.
1. Create a Strong and Unique Password A weak password is one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your account. Ensure your password is:
At least 12 characters long : Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Unique to Facebook : Avoid reusing passwords from other platforms. If one account gets compromised, others won’t be affected. Not guessable : Stay away from common phrases, your name, birthdate, or “password123.” 💡 Example : Instead of using “MyFacebook2024,” try something complex like “$ecureFB!#2024.”
Regularly update your password, especially if you suspect it has been leaked or if you use shared devices.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a crucial layer of security. It requires a second verification step, such as a code sent to your phone, making it much harder for hackers to access your account.
How to Enable 2FA on Facebook :
Open Facebook and go to Settings > Security and Login . Click Two-Factor Authentication under the security settings. Choose a method: SMS, authentication app (like Google Authenticator), or a hardware security key. 🔒 Pro Tip : Use an authentication app rather than SMS for greater security, as SMS can be intercepted through SIM swapping.
3. Watch Out for Phishing Scams Phishing scams are a leading cause of hacked accounts. These scams often involve fake emails, messages, or links that mimic Facebook to trick you into entering your credentials.
How to Identify Phishing Scams :
Look for misspellings in the email or website (e.g., “faecbook.com” instead of “facebook.com”). Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails claiming to be from Facebook. Facebook will never ask for your password via email . If you accidentally click on a suspicious link, change your password immediately and review your account for unauthorized activity.
4. Regularly Check Active Sessions Facebook allows you to see all devices where your account is logged in. This feature can help you detect unauthorized access.
Steps to Review Active Sessions :
Go to Settings > Security and Login . Under Where You’re Logged In , review the list of devices and locations. If you see any unfamiliar devices or locations, click Log Out of All Sessions and change your password immediately. This simple habit ensures you’re always in control of your account’s access.
5. Secure Your Linked Email Account Since your email is tied to your Facebook account, hackers often target it to gain access to your account.
Email Security Tips :
Use a strong, unique password for your email. Enable 2FA for your email provider (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.). Be cautious of phishing emails claiming to be from your email provider. If your email gets hacked, change the associated Facebook email address as soon as possible.
6. Adjust Facebook Privacy Settings Sharing too much personal information can make you an easy target for hackers. By limiting the visibility of your account details, you reduce the chances of someone exploiting your information.
Privacy Settings to Review :
Go to Settings > Privacy . Adjust Who Can See Your Posts to Friends Only or customize it. Set Who Can Send You Friend Requests to Friends of Friends to avoid random requests. Hide your contact information, birthday, and other personal details from public view. Hackers often use this information to guess security questions or trick you into clicking malicious links.
7. Be Cautious with Third-Party Apps Some third-party apps and websites require access to your Facebook account. If these apps are compromised, your account can be at risk.
How to Manage Connected Apps :
Go to Settings > Apps and Websites . Review the list of connected apps. Remove apps you no longer use or don’t trust. Only connect apps from reputable developers, and avoid granting unnecessary permissions, such as access to your timeline or friends list.
8. Activate Login Alerts Facebook can notify you whenever someone logs into your account from an unrecognized device or location.
How to Set Up Login Alerts :
Go to Settings > Security and Login . Enable Get alerts about unrecognized logins . Choose to receive alerts via email, Facebook notifications, or both. These alerts allow you to act quickly and secure your account if someone tries to hack it.
9. Keep Your Software and Devices Updated Outdated apps, operating systems, and browsers can have security vulnerabilities.
Best Practices :
Always update your Facebook app to the latest version. Regularly update your smartphone’s operating system. Use trusted antivirus software to scan your devices for malware. 10. What to Do If Your Facebook Account Gets Hacked If you suspect your account has been hacked, act immediately:
Go to the Facebook Hacked Help Page . Follow the steps to secure your account and verify your identity. Change your password and enable 2FA. Final Thoughts Having your Facebook account hacked is a frustrating experience, but you can avoid it by implementing these security tips. From using strong passwords to enabling two-factor authentication, taking small steps today can save you from big headaches tomorrow.
Stay vigilant, review your security settings regularly, and educate yourself on the latest online threats. A secure Facebook account means peace of mind in the digital world.
For more tips and updates, visit Efren Nolasco .
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