Facebook is the most used social media platform, with over2.9 billion registered usersworldwide as of January 2023. This makes it a potential target for cybercrime elements. If you are worried your Facebook account has been hacked, follow these simple steps to easily reclaim control of your account.
How to tell if your Facebook account is hacked
In this age of technological advancements, we often share important information on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Unfortunately, this innocent practice of sharing your details can be exploited by cybercriminals. So, as we become more comfortable sharing every aspect of our lives online, we become more vulnerable to those seeking to misuse our personal information.
Actions to take if your Facebook is hacked
If you think your account has been hacked or taken over, don’t panic. There are a few steps to follow, and Facebook has made it easier to recover your account without much hassle. All that Facebook needs you to do is change your password and review recent login activity. But before you get to that, here are immediate actions to take.
Log in to see if you still have access
First things first, try to log in to your Facebook account. Sometimes, hackers might not have changed your password yet, so you might get lucky and regain access.
When you log in, go toSettings & Privacy, navigate toSettings, and from the list options, click onActivity Logto see if any activity took place without your consent. Under the activity log, pay close attention to Security and login information, which shows if another device gained access to your account, when, and where. If you see an account logged in, disconnect it immediately. This action will temporarily shut out the intruder and buy you more time to secure your account effectively.
Change/ reset your Facebook password
Now, it’s time to change your password. You must be fast in doing so, as the hacker may be attempting to do it before you. Follow this step if you are using a desktop:
Follow this step if you are using a mobile device:
Note:ensure you create a strong and unique password. Try to avoid using obvious combinations, such as “password12345” or your birthdate.
If the hacker has already changed your password and you can’t log in, don’t fret! Click on theForgot Passwordoption on the login page and go through the account recovery process.
Note that Facebook may require you to provide your Email address, phone number, and username associated with your Facebook account.
They may also require the names of some of your friends. Whichever they want, ensure you provide them with the correct information.
Carefully examine your account permissions
It is vital to carefully examine the permissions of your account and kick out any sketchy or malicious apps that may have been lurking around. These can be potential gateways for hackers, so it’s better to remove them ASAP.
To do this, go to theSecurity menu, navigate toapps and websites, and delete any app you don’t recognize. Upgrading to a newer phone version, like thelatest Apple iPhone 15(or any phone that supports the latest software version), will give you a security advantage, which will not support as many malicious apps.
Report the breach to Facebook
If unauthorized ads or spam messages were sent out from your account, report the breach to Facebook. Let them know what’s happened, and they can investigate and assist you in resolving the issue.
Log out from all your devices
To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to log out from Facebook on all your devices. This ensures that even if the hacker has access to one of your devices, they won’t be able to continue wreaking havoc. To do this, follow the following steps:
Log in and tighten your security
Once you’ve covered the basics, it’s time to regain control. Log back into your account and tighten up its security settings. Facebook provides various options to protect your account, such as two-factor authentication, password changes, security checkups, and reviewing login alerts.
Follow these security tips and be on the safe side each time you are using Facebook:
Final thoughts
Despite several security checks being put in place by Facebook to deter hackers, intruders may still find a way to steal users’ data, especially those who don’t take them seriously. By following and implementing the steps and security tips outlined in this article, hackers will find it difficult to hack into your account.
