Social media hacking is a growing problem. With over 2.9 billion active users, Facebook is the most popular social media platform and a prime target for hackers. Getting your Facebook account hacked can have serious consequences, like identity theft, embarrassing posts made on your behalf, or your account being used to hack your friends. So it’s important to know the signs of a hacked Facebook account and be proactive about protecting yourself.
How to Tell if Your Facebook Account Has Been Hacked
Here are some of the most common signs that your Facebook account may have been compromised:
You notice posts you didn’t make
This is one of the most obvious signs of a hacked Facebook account. Strange posts, images, or videos appearing from your account that you know you didn’t post are a clear red flag. Also watch out for odd comments made from your account on your friends’ pages.
Your profile information has changed
If your profile picture, cover photo, bio, or other personal info has been altered without your knowledge, your account may be hacked. Keep an eye out for changes to your profile that you didn’t make.
You have new friend requests from strangers
A slew of new friend requests from people you don’t know could indicate your account has been compromised. Hackers sometimes try to gain access to your friends’ accounts by sending requests from yours.
Your security settings have changed
Take note if your account security settings seem different, like two-factor authentication getting turned off or your primary email changing. These can be signs a hacker has taken over and altered your security settings.
Your password suddenly stops working
If your Facebook password is suddenly rejected when you try to log in, it might mean someone has changed it. Being abruptly locked out of your account is a clear warning.
You notice strange logins
Facebook shows you the latest logins to your account and from what locations. Unfamiliar access from places you haven’t been is a potential red flag your account is hacked.
Your friends tell you about odd messages
If people you know tell you they received strange messages from your account, cybercriminals may have access. Don’t ignore friends reporting out-of-character posts or messages.
You stop getting notifications
A sudden stop in notifications about tags, messages, and other Facebook activity can happen if a hacker has logged in and turned them off. So be suspicious if your notifications abruptly go silent.
How Hackers Get Access to Facebook Accounts
Cybercriminals use a variety of deceptive tactics to gain access to people’s Facebook accounts. Here are some of the most common ways they break in:
Phishing
Phishing uses fake login pages, security alerts, or other methods to trick users into inputting their credentials. These phony Facebook emails and pages look convincing, but go to the hacker.
Malware
Malicious software downloaded onto a computer or device can obtain login info. Keylogging malware records your keystrokes to steal usernames and passwords.
Data breaches
When websites suffer security breaches, billions of emails and passwords get exposed. Hackers use these hacked databases to try compromised logins on Facebook.
Credential stuffing
Bots input stolen username and password pairs from other breaches into Facebook to break in. With billions of leaked creds available, credential stuffing is a prime attack.
SIM swapping
Hackers take over a victim’s phone number by porting it to a different SIM card. This lets them reset Facebook passwords and take over accounts.
Compromised computers
If a family member’s computer is infected with malware, hackers can access shared home networks and devices to steal Facebook logins.
Targeted password guessing
Using personal info on your profiles and posts, hackers can research you and make educated guesses about your potential passwords.
Purchased logins
There is an underground market for stolen accounts. Criminals buy hacked Facebook logins in bulk for cheap.
How to Check if Your Facebook Is Hacked
If you notice any possible signs of your Facebook being hacked, there are actions you can take to investigate further and confirm whether your account is compromised:
Check recent login activity
Go to Settings > Security and Login and look at the “Where You’re Logged In” section. This shows the latest logins to your account. Look for unknown locations, browsers, or devices accessing your Facebook.
Review account settings
Do a full audit of your Facebook account settings. Look for any evidence of changed profile info, altered privacy and security settings, a new email address, or other unusual modifications.
Check linked accounts
In Settings, inspect any accounts you have linked to Facebook, like Instagram or Tinder. Remove any unknown or suspicious connections. Criminals can gain access via linked third-party apps.
Scan computers and devices
Use up-to-date antivirus software to scan all your computers and mobile devices. Check for any signs of malware or keyloggers that could be stealing your Facebook login info.
Inspect forwarding settings
See if emails or texts from Facebook are being forwarded somewhere without your knowledge. Log in and disable any account forwarding you didn’t set up.
Use the Security Checkup
Run Facebook’s Security Checkup, which reviews your account and alerts you to any vulnerabilities or unusual activity detected.
Change your password
If there are any indications of suspicious activity, immediately change your Facebook password. Make it long and complex. Don’t reuse old passwords.
Steps to Secure Your Facebook Account
Once you’ve checked for signs of hacking on your Facebook account, here are crucial steps to better secure it for the future:
Enable two-factor authentication
Add an extra layer of account security by turning on Facebook’s two-factor authentication under Settings > Security. Require a code from your phone whenever you log in.
Be wary of phishing
Don’t click questionable links in emails, messages, or from untrustworthy pages. Hover over links to inspect their real destinations before clicking.
Choose a strong password
Create a password that is at least 12 characters long, includes uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using personal info or common words.
Review privacy settings
Check that your Facebook profile and posts aren’t too publicly accessible. Restrict visibility to friends only when possible. Limit what apps and websites can access your info.
Remove unused apps
Don’t authorize old or unused Facebook apps that may pose a security risk if hacked. Revoke their access under Settings > Apps.
Use an antivirus app
Install a highly-rated antivirus program on all your devices, and scan regularly for malware and unauthorized access attempts.
Avoid public Wi-Fi
Never access your Facebook account on unsecured public Wi-Fi. Assume these hotspots have keyloggers and eavesdroppers snooping for logins.
Turn on login alerts
Get notified whenever someone logs into your Facebook account from an unrecognized device. You can enable alerts under Security Settings.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hacked
If you confirm your Facebook account has definitely been compromised, take these steps right away:
Log out of all sessions
On the Security Settings page, use the “Log Out Of All Sessions” button to force log out every device. This prevents the hacker accessing your account.
Reset your password
Do a password reset so the hacker can’t get back in. Make sure your new password is completely different, long, and strong. Enable two-factor authentication when you reset.
Recover your account
Use Facebook’s account recovery process to try regaining control. Submit ID documents proving the account is really yours.
Check other linked accounts
If you reuse the same password elsewhere, hackers may have access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Change those passwords immediately.
Scan devices for malware
Run complete antivirus scans on your computers and mobile devices to remove any potential trojan horses, keyloggers, or backdoors hackers may have planted.
Report the hack
File an official report of your Facebook hacking at facebook.com/hacked. Provide details Facebook can use to investigate.
Warn your friends
Tell your Facebook friends your account was hacked in case the cybercriminal tried friending, messaging, or scamming your contacts.
Monitor your credit
Check your credit reports and accounts closely for any signs of misuse of your personal information by the hacker.
How to Prevent Facebook Hacks
Here are key ways every Facebook user can apply proactive threat prevention measures to avoid getting hacked in the first place:
Unique complex passwords
The easiest way hackers breach accounts is by cracking weak, reused passwords. Create a long, randomized password just for Facebook.
Two-factor authentication
Add an extra credential check with 2FA. It sends a login code to your phone to help block unauthorized access attempts.
Limited info sharing
Carefully review the info you make public on your profile. Keep personal details like addresses private.
Updated software
Maintain the latest security patches on your operating systems, browsers, and apps. Out-of-date software often has vulnerabilities.
Secure home Wi-Fi
Your home Wi-Fi should have modern encryption like WPA2 to prevent snooping of Facebook sessions by lurkers on the network.
Anti-phishing awareness
Always confirm emails, messages, and prompts are genuinely from Facebook before providing login credentials.
Login notifications
Turn on Facebook’s feature to alert you about logins from new devices for early detection of unauthorized access attempts.
Virus protection
Keep robust antivirus software installed and regularly scan all your internet-connected computers and mobile devices.
Avoid public Wi-Fi
Refrain from accessing your Facebook account on public hotspots in coffee shops, hotels, airports due to the risk of surveillance and man-in-the-middle attacks stealing your login.
Account recovery options
Set your Facebook account recovery options like trusted contacts in case you need to recover a hacked account.
Facebook Security Features
Facebook offers a range of helpful security options to help protect your account. Take advantage of these features:
Two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication adds a second credential check to logins for enhanced security against unauthorized access.
Login approvals
Require an additional approval from your phone whenever someone tries logging into your Facebook account on an unrecognized device.
Login alerts
Get notified if anyone logs into your account from a new browser or device so you can check for suspicious logins.
Security Checkup
Frequently run Facebook’s automated Security Checkup for a personalized account security review highlighting vulnerabilities.
Report compromised accounts
If your account is hacked, use Facebook’s streamlined process to report your account has been compromised and get it locked down.
Recover compromised accounts
Follow Facebook’s detailed process for recovering a hacked account, including regaining access and resetting your password.
More: https://www.facebook.com/help/379220725465972
Facebook provides a wide range of robust security options to help users protect their accounts, detect unauthorized changes, stop hackers, and recover compromised accounts. Enable all of Facebook’s security features for optimal protection.
Conclusion
Getting hacked on Facebook can be a nightmare, but being vigilant for warning signs, using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and taking advantage of Facebook’s security controls can help users confidently protect their accounts. Immediately check for any evidence of unauthorized changes or strange activity that might indicate a breach. Take quick action to secure accounts at the first sign of possible hacking, and be sure to report any account compromises directly to Facebook right away so they can help users promptly recover control and better protect themselves from future hacking attacks.