Having your Facebook account hacked can be a stressful and frustrating experience. Your personal information, photos, conversations, and connections are all stored on Facebook, so it’s natural to feel violated when someone else gains access. The good news is that in many cases, you can recover your hacked Facebook account and restore access. Here are some quick answers to common questions about recovering a hacked Facebook account:
How do I know if my Facebook was hacked?
There are several signs that may indicate your Facebook was hacked:
- You can’t log into your account – you may get error messages about incorrect password even though you know you’re using the right password.
- Your profile picture, cover photo, or bio info has been changed without your doing.
- You see posts, comments, or messages you didn’t create. These may be spam, offensive content, or messages sent to your friends.
- Your friends tell you they are receiving strange messages, friend requests, or tagged photos from your account.
- Facebook alerts you that your password, email, or phone number was changed without your authorization.
If you notice any of these things, your account may be compromised. The sooner you take action, the better.
How did my Facebook get hacked in the first place?
Hackers use a variety of techniques to gain access to Facebook accounts, including:
- Guessing or resetting your password – Hackers can use password guessing software to crack simple passwords.
- Phishing – Fake login pages are used to trick you into entering your login details, which are captured by hackers.
- Keylogging malware – Malware installed on your computer or phone tracks everything you type, including passwords.
- Data breaches – Email and password info gets leaked in data breaches, and hackers take advantage.
- Session hijacking – Hackers take over your active Facebook session if you leave yourself logged in on a public computer.
The best defense is using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication. Be wary of phishing emails and links, don’t download anything suspicious, and make sure you have antivirus software installed.
I think my Facebook was hacked – what should I do now?
If you believe your account has been compromised, take these steps right away:
- Log out of all active sessions – On desktop, go to Settings > Security and Login, then select “See More” under Where You’re Logged In. Log out of all sessions except your own. On mobile, go to Settings & Privacy > Security > Where You’re Logged In.
- Reset your password – Use a password that’s unique from any of your other accounts. Make it long, strong, and random.
- Turn on login approvals – Go to Settings > Security and Login > Use Two-Factor Authentication. Require a code to be sent to your phone anytime someone logs in.
- Check privacy settings – Review all your privacy and app settings to see if anything was changed by the hacker. Update anything suspicious.
- Review posts and messages – Check your timeline, messages, ads, payments, and notifications for any unauthorized activity.
Taking these steps immediately can stop the hacker from doing further damage.
How do I recover and restore my hacked Facebook account?
To fully regain access and control of your account:
- Report the hack to Facebook – Let Facebook know your account was compromised. This alerts them to secure it.
- Submit ID verification – To prove the account is really yours, submit copies of your photo ID. Follow the steps Facebook provides.
- Check login notifications – Review the notification history for unauthorized logins from unknown locations or devices.
- Remove unfamiliar devices – Under Settings > Security and Login, remove any unknown or suspicious devices.
- Change your username – Pick a new username to further secure your account.
- Review tagged photos and posts – Take down anything the hacker may have posted while in your account.
- Change your ad preferences – Hackers sometimes change ad settings for financial gain. Review your preferences.
With these steps, you can fully restore control of your account and ensure everything is just as it should be.
How long does it take to recover a hacked Facebook account?
It can take anywhere from a few hours up to a full day to fully recover a hacked Facebook account, depending on the circumstances. Here are some factors that affect the recovery timeline:
- How quickly you submit ID verification – This is key to proving account ownership.
- The extent of the hack – More damage takes longer to undo.
- How responsive Facebook’s security team is – Weekends or holidays may cause delays.
- If you have access to recovery options like email or phone number – Makes the process faster.
- How long the hacker had access – The longer they’re in, the more potential issues.
If Facebook detects suspicious activity first, they’ll put security measures in place right away. But if you have to report it yourself, gathering the proper documentation can add time. Bottom line: take action ASAP for the quickest recovery.
Can I get my old Facebook account back after being hacked?
In most cases, you should be able to fully regain access to your original Facebook account after it was hacked. The steps to recover and restore your account will allow you to:
- Reset the password so only you can access the account.
- Remove any unfamiliar devices or sessions.
- Undo any profile changes made by the hacker.
- Delete any unauthorized posts or messages.
- Review and adjust privacy and security settings.
Essentially, you can roll back any changes so it’s like they never happened. As long as you follow Facebook’s hacking recovery steps and provide the requested ID verification, your account and data should be restored. The one exception is if the hacker deleted your account entirely – in that case, you’ll have to go through the Facebook account recovery process.
What information can a hacker access in my Facebook account?
When someone hacks your Facebook account, they potentially have access to a trove of personal information, including:
- Your personal profile info – name, birthday, hometown, work, education, relationships, bio, photos
- Your posts and activity history
- Private messages and chat conversations
- Your friends list and contacts
- Pages and groups you manage
- Your interests, events, locations checked into
- Payment info like saved credit cards and billing addresses
- Ads you’ve clicked on or interacted with
Essentially, anything you’ve shared on Facebook could be visible to the hacker. They could also post status updates or send messages while posing as you. That’s why it’s critical to reset your password and secure your account right away. Enable login approvals and review privacy settings to limit such exposure in the future.
What damage can a hacker do to my Facebook account?
In the wrong hands, your Facebook account can be used for a variety of malicious purposes. Here are some of the ways hackers can leverage access:
- Post spam, offensive, or illegal content that appears to come from you.
- Send messages with dangerous links or malware to your network of friends.
- Access or steal your personal photos and info.
- Impersonate you and ask your contacts for money or sensitive data.
- Change your privacy settings to expose your info publicly.
- Access or take over pages or groups you administer.
- Connect your account to unfamiliar third-party apps.
- Charge ads or make in-app purchases using stored payment methods.
- Leverage your account for further cybercrime or hacking activity.
In addition to harming you personally, the hacker can also ruin your reputation and relationships with others. That’s why prompt action is required to lock them out and undo any damage.
How can I further protect and secure my Facebook account?
Once your account is recovered, take these additional measures to stay secure:
- Use a complex, unique password only for Facebook.
- Set up two-factor authentication.
- Be cautious accepting friend requests or opening messages.
- Review privacy and app settings regularly.
- Don’t click suspicious links or downloads.
- Use antivirus software and update regularly.
- Turn on login approvals and notifications.
- Don’t stay logged in on public devices.
- Monitor your tagged photos and posts.
- Avoid oversharing personal info.
Enabling every security feature Facebook provides is your best defense. Also be vigilant against phishing attempts – Facebook will never ask for your password via email. Use strong cyber hygiene on all your devices. With enough precautions, you can hopefully avoid being hacked again.
Can I get help from Facebook to secure my account?
Yes, Facebook provides resources to help you better protect your account:
- Reporting tools – Use the Report links to notify Facebook of any suspicious activity or hacking.
- Security checkpoints – Facebook may prompt you to review key security settings.
- Login approvals – Turn on the requirement to enter a code or use a physical key when logging in.
- Support articles and videos – Facebook provides step-by-step guides on security topics.
- Notifications – Get alerts when any important changes are made to your account.
- Product updates – Facebook constantly improves security features in response to new threats.
Facebook also has a dedicated Help Community where you can get personalized assistance. Post questions if you’re having trouble getting your account back or need help securing it properly. You can also report compromised accounts directly to Facebook’s security team. Enable every security feature they provide for optimal protection.
What can I do if Facebook is unable to recover my account?
In most cases, Facebook should be able to recover and restore your hacked account if you follow the proper reporting procedures. But if their security team is still unable to regain access for you, here are some further steps to try:
- Triple check you submitted valid photo ID – Make sure your ID clearly matches the name on your Facebook account.
- Provide additional proof of ownership – Share links to your Facebook profile, screenshots showing your account info, invoices for ads purchased, etc.
- Check for any contacts associated with your account – Names or emails allowed to help recover access if you’re locked out.
- File a complaint via the Better Business Bureau – Get their help escalating with Facebook’s parent company, Meta.
- Consult with a lawyer – Legal counsel may be able to put additional pressure on Facebook to restore your access.
- Create a new account and move on – If all else fails, start fresh with tightened security precautions.
Keeping detailed records, using secure contact options, and having valid recovery contacts added to your account can also help avoid permanent lockout if you ever get hacked again.
Conclusion
Having your Facebook account hacked can be a jarring experience, but taking quick and decisive action can help you recover access and undo most of the damage. Make sure to report the hack to Facebook right away, submit ID verification, and change your password and security settings. With Facebook’s help, you should be able to fully restore your profile and data. Just be sure to turn on extra security features like two-factor authentication going forward. Practicing good password hygiene and being wary of phishing attempts will keep your account safe from future threats.