Everyday, countless Facebook users fall victim to hacking which impacts their online communities and personal information. The moment you realize your own account has been compromised it is important to take swift action to reclaim control over your account. In this article, we will outline four essential steps you should take immediately if you suspect your Facebook account has been compromised.
Determine if Your Facebook Account Has Been Hacked
A Facebook hacker typically leaves behind traces of their activity. By following a few simple steps, you can assess the situation and take appropriate action
- Log into your Facebook account and click on your profile image in the top right corner. This will expand the Account menu. From there, navigate to Settings & privacy > Settings, then access the Accounts Center from the sidebar and select Password and security.
- Check used devices within the Security checks section, expand the “Where you’re logged in” option and choose your account. If you notice any suspicious logins, you can either select each individually or log them all out at once. Before doing so, it’s crucial to change your password to secure your account.
- Check friend requests and private messages by accessing your account menu, and then selecting Settings & privacy > Activity log, and review the logged events.
- Review any changes to your personal data such as your password, email address, phone number, or name. In the Accounts Center, navigate to Personal details and expand the Contact info option to verify the email addresses and phone numbers associated with your account.
What to Do If Your Facebook Account Has Been Hacked
If you have confirmed that your account has been compromised, it is crucial to act swiftly and follow these 5 steps:
- Change Your Facebook Password. To change your password, go to the Accounts Center, select Password and security, and choose the option to Change password. Provide the necessary information, including your current password, and set a strong new password. Finally, click on “Change password” and log out of all suspicious accounts.
- To change your password, go to the Accounts Center, select Password and security, and choose the option to Change password. Provide the necessary information, including your current password, and set a strong new password. Finally, click on “Change password” and log out of all suspicious accounts.
- If you still suspect your account has been compromised, proceed to Step 4.
- To change your password, go to the Accounts Center, select Password and security, and choose the option to Change password. Provide the necessary information, including your current password, and set a strong new password. Finally, click on “Change password” and log out of all suspicious accounts.
- Reset Your Facebook Password. In the event that the hacker has changed your Facebook password, it is vital to act quickly to regain access. Use the “Forgot your password?” link on the Facebook login page to initiate the account recovery process.
- Start by providing either the email address associated with your Facebook account or a secondary email address you have linked. You can also enter your phone number.
- If Facebook successfully identifies your account, you will have options to reset your password accordingly. If the hacker has changed your email address, check your original email inbox for a message containing a special link to reverse the changes and secure your account.
- Facebook may offer to send a recovery code to any of the email addresses associated with your account. We highly recommend maintaining multiple backup email addresses, but remember to secure these accounts with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication if possible.
- If you suspect that the hacker has been misusing your account, proceed to step 3.
- Report the Facebook Hack. If your account has been compromised and you notice unauthorized ads and spam being sent to your friends, it is crucial to report the incident to Facebook immediately. Visit Facebook.com/hacked/ to initiate the reporting process. This can also be useful in cases where you have lost access to your account due to a phishing attack, as Facebook can assist in the recovery process.
- Remove Suspicious Applications
- In some cases, your account may have been hijacked not by an individual but by a malicious Facebook application to which you granted access. To eliminate any suspicious applications, navigate to Settings > Apps and Websites and review the provided list.
- Expand the list of active apps and websites by clicking on “See More” and remove any apps that appear suspicious by clicking on “Remove” for each one. It is also recommended to remove any expired apps and websites.
- Alternatively, you can modify the permissions of individual apps by clicking on “View and Edit.” This allows you to adjust settings such as app visibility, access to personal information, and permitted actions.
- Perform Damage Control. After taking all necessary steps to regain control of your hacked Facebook account and prevent further harm, it is crucial to inform your friends and family about the situation. This preemptive measure ensures that they are aware of the situation in case the hacker has reached out to them. If you are unable to access your account, use alternative means such as other social networks, email, or use a mutual friend to communicate the situation to others.
Enhancing Facebook's Privacy and Security Settings
Once you have regained control of your account, it is highly recommended to review your Facebook settings for optimal security. Access the Meta Accounts Center and focus on the following aspects:
- Personal Details: Verify your contact information and remove any outdated or inaccessible email addresses and phone numbers. Consider adding additional email addresses or mobile numbers that you have access to.
- Password and Security: Implement additional security measures such as alerts for unrecognized logins and two-factor authentication. Facebook’s security checkup can guide you through all available options.
- Privacy Settings: Customize your privacy settings according to your preferences. It is advisable to limit the visibility of past posts and ensure that only friends can view your future posts.
- Enabling two-factor authentication: Consider using two-factor authentication to secure all your accounts, including Facebook. You can utilize authentication apps like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator in conjunction with Facebook.
How to Protect Your Facebook Account
Experiencing a hacking incident serves as a valuable lesson, highlighting the mistakes made and encouraging future prevention. It is crucial to learn about potential privacy breaches and equip yourself with the knowledge to protect against them. As hackers continuously evolve their tactics, staying informed about their techniques is important! At Multibrain, we strive to stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving social media landscape. We understand the importance of keeping up with the latest news and best practices to provide our clients with the most effective strategies and solutions.
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