With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. Given its widespread use, cybercriminals often target Facebook accounts through phishing links and malware. So if you click on a suspicious link, there’s a chance your Facebook account could get hacked.
How do hackers attack Facebook accounts?
Hackers typically use two main methods to compromise Facebook accounts:
- Phishing links – The hacker sends you a link that looks legitimate, but actually contains malicious software. If you click the link and enter your Facebook login credentials, the hacker can steal your username and password.
- Malware – Malicious software that gets installed on your device, allowing the hacker to access your information. This could happen if you click a bad link or download an infected file.
In both cases, the goal is to steal your Facebook login credentials so the hacker can access your account. Once they’re in, they can do things like post content as if they’re you, see your private messages and photos, and access your friends list.
What happens if you click a malicious Facebook link?
Here’s a breakdown of what could happen if you mistakenly click a malicious Facebook link:
- The link could download malware onto your device that tracks your activity and sends your login credentials to hackers.
- It may take you to a fake Facebook login page that steals your username and password when you enter them.
- It could install a keylogger on your device that records everything you type, including passwords.
- The link may enable hackers to hijack your Facebook session and access your account directly if you’re already logged in.
In essence, clicking sketchy Facebook links gives hackers an open door to invade your account and personal information.
How to avoid getting hacked on Facebook
Here are some tips to improve your Facebook security and avoid account hacks:
- Enable two-factor authentication – This adds an extra layer of protection beyond your password.
- Use strong passwords – Don’t use simple passwords that are easy to guess. Use long, complex ones.
- Be wary of links – Don’t click links from strangers or suspicious emails. Hover over the link to see the actual URL before clicking.
- Watch out for phishing scams – Don’t enter your Facebook login credentials on any third party sites.
- Use antivirus software – This can detect and block malware and other threats on your devices.
- Turn on login notifications – Facebook can alert you whenever someone logs into your account from a new device.
- Be careful when using public WiFi – Hackers can more easily intercept data on open networks.
Practicing good security habits makes it much harder for hackers to gain access to your account. Phishing links are less likely to work if you’re vigilant about where you click.
Can you get hacked by simply visiting a website?
Generally, no – simply visiting a website does not expose your Facebook account to hacking. For a hack to occur, you typically need to download something, enter your login credentials somewhere, or click a malicious link from an untrusted source. Merely loading a webpage in your browser doesn’t give hackers any openings.
That said, there are some risks to be aware of:
- Your IP address can be traced if you visit a shady website. While this doesn’t give them access to your account, it can reveal your location.
- Visiting sites with malware could infect your device if you have vulnerabilities in your browser, operating system, or security software.
- Some sites are designed to trick you and get you to click further malicious links. So avoid unfamiliar sites.
As long as you stick to well-known, legitimate sites and don’t click questionable links, simply browsing the web should not hack your Facebook or other accounts.
Can Facebook be hacked by clicking on a photo?
No, simply clicking on a photo on Facebook cannot hack your account. Photos do not contain executable code, so just viewing or interacting with them does not trigger any malicious activity.
However, it is possible for hackers to use photo posts in phishing schemes:
- A photo post could include a link in the caption that leads to a phishing site or malware download.
- Scammers may tag you in a post with a sketchy link to catch your interest.
- The photo itself could show a fake login prompt or warning message intended to trick you into entering your credentials.
So you should always be wary of links included in photo posts or their captions. But merely viewing or clicking on an image will not compromise your account.
Can hackers see your Facebook password?
No, hackers cannot see your actual Facebook password. Passwords are encrypted one-way hashes – so not even Facebook can reverse-engineer your real password.
However, hackers have other ways to access accounts without your password:
- They can intercept your login credentials through phishing or keylogging malware.
- They may hijack your active Facebook session if you leave yourself logged in.
- They can reset your password by exploiting vulnerabilities in the account recovery process.
So while they can’t retrieve your real password, hackers have plenty of other avenues to get into your account. Using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication makes their job much harder.
Can Facebook hacking spread malware to your computer?
Yes, it’s possible for malware downloaded while you’re logged into Facebook to spread to your computer and other devices. Here are some scenarios how this could occur:
- Clicking an infected link can trigger a drive-by malware download, even without your consent.
- Malware may be bundled into innocent looking Facebook apps and games that you add.
- Your login credentials could be stolen through phishing, giving hackers access to your account and connected apps.
- Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities allow hackers to inject malware into your Facebook feed.
Once malware is running on your system, it can often spread laterally to other devices if they’re connected on the same network. This is why it’s critical to run comprehensive security software on all your systems and be extremely cautious while browsing Facebook.
Does Facebook notify you if your account gets hacked?
Facebook does have some systems in place to notify you about suspicious activity, but there are some caveats:
- Facebook may send you an alert email if they detect a suspicious login.
- You may receive notifications about unrecognized logins in your account security settings.
- However, if hackers gain full access to your account, they can disable these notifications.
- Sophisticated hackers know how to cover their tracks and evade Facebook’s automated threat detection.
So while Facebook tries to warn you, these alerts aren’t guaranteed. You should watch out for other common signs of hacking like strange posts or messages sent from your account. Enabling login approvals adds another layer of verification.
Should you click on Facebook alerts about unusual activity?
Facebook’s automated alerts about unusual login activity are legitimate. If you receive an email, text, or in-app notification from Facebook about suspicious access to your account, you should click on it to investigate further.
However, keep these precautions in mind:
- Go directly to the Facebook website or app – don’t click any links in the notification.
- Check that the URL is facebook.com before entering your credentials.
- Reset your password if unauthorized access did occur.
- Review recently posted content for signs of hacking.
Facebook’s alerts can identify real hacks in progress and help you secure your account. Just be wary of fake notifications designed to phish your login details.
Can hackers lock you out of your Facebook account?
Unfortunately yes, hackers who compromise your Facebook account can lock you out by changing the password and email on file. Without access to the registered email for password recovery, it can be very difficult to regain control.
Here are some ways hackers might lock you out of your account:
- Changing the password and updating the connected email
- Enabling two-factor authentication using their phone number
- Removing your trusted devices from account settings
- Updating the account email to a disposable address they control
Once you’re locked out, your options are limited. You’ll need to contact Facebook support and provide proof of identity. This is why it’s critical to enable all of Facebook’s security features before your account is compromised.
Should you delete your Facebook account if it gets hacked?
Deleting your Facebook account is an extreme measure if it becomes hacked. While it may seem like the simplest solution, you may want to try restoring your access first.
Reasons you may want to recover your account instead of deleting:
- You’ll lose all your photos, posts, conversations, and data.
- You have to start rebuilding your friends list and Pages from scratch.
- The hacker could still re-register the account name after you delete it.
- You can strengthen security settings once you regain access.
That said, if the hacking damage is severe, you have sensitive info at risk, or you’re ready to quit Facebook anyway, deletion may be the best option.
What should you do if your Facebook gets hacked?
Here are the steps to take if hackers compromise your Facebook account:
- Log out of all devices – This will kick the hackers out of your active session.
- Change your password – Pick a new long, complex password that hackers can’t guess.
- Remove unauthorized apps or services connected to your account.
- Check security settings – Look for anything suspicious like new emails or phone numbers added.
- Enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t yet.
- Scan devices for malware in case your account was hacked locally.
- Report unusual activity within Facebook’s security tools.
Taking quick action to lock down and restore your account security can mitigate the damage from getting hacked. Make sure to monitor account activity closely going forward.
Can a Facebook hacker delete your conversations?
Unfortunately yes, a hacker who gains access to your Facebook account can delete your existing conversations and messages.
When conversations are deleted from Facebook:
- They are removed from your inbox, archived messages, and the messages folder.
- The messages are deleted for all participants in the conversation.
- There is no way to recover deleted Facebook messages.
Hackers may delete private conversations to cover their tracks or ruin your reputation by erasing positive conversations. Enabling two-factor authentication before your account is breached can help prevent hackers from accessing your inbox.
Can a hacker post from your Facebook wall?
Yes, one of the first things a hacker may do upon accessing your Facebook account is make unauthorized posts posing as you. Posts can include:
- Status updates visible to all your friends
- Comments on your friends’ walls
- Likes or reactions to other posts
- Photos or videos
- Links to external websites like malware downloads or phishing pages
These rogue posts are one of the most obvious signs your account has been hacked. Your friends may see posts that seem out of character for you. Make sure to delete any unauthorized posts once you regain account access.
Can hackers send messages from your Facebook account?
Absolutely. Sending messages is a key ability hackers exploit once they access someone’s account. They can:
- Send private messages to your friends list
- Message followers or members of your Facebook groups
- Send automated spam messages to large batches of users
- Use your identity to spread phishing links or malware
Watch out for any strange messages sent from your account. These are dead giveaways of a hacker. Be extra cautious about downloading any files or clicking links sent from your compromised account.
Can hackers use your Messenger app if your Facebook is hacked?
Yes, if a hacker gains access to your Facebook account credentials, they can also fully access your Facebook Messenger app to send messages as you.
With Messenger, hackers can:
- Send messages to anyone in your contacts list
- Read your full message history and saved conversations
- Send malicious links to your contacts
- Impersonate you in group chats
- Access your saved payment credentials if you use Messenger for purchases
Since many people now use Messenger as their primary messaging app, hackers who compromise the associated Facebook account can do extensive damage through Messenger alone. Make sure to review recent messages for signs of unauthorized access.
Can hackers see your Facebook messages?
Unfortunately yes, hackers who access your Facebook account can view your private messages in your inbox. This exposes:
- Your messaging history and conversations
- Any media or files exchanged in messages
- Your friend list and contacts on Messenger
- Potentially sensitive or incriminating messages
Hackers may steal private data from your messages, embarrass you by sharing compromising chats, or delete messages to destroy evidence. Using strong passwords and 2FA helps prevent hackers from accessing your messages.
Can a Facebook hack spread to your Instagram account?
Yes, if hackers manage to get into your Facebook account, they may also gain access to your Instagram account if it’s linked. Here’s how:
- Many users have the same login credentials across Facebook and Instagram.
- Hackers can use the “Log in with Facebook” option on Instagram.
- They can add your Instagram account within Facebook’s settings and sync the logins.
Once in your Instagram, hackers can post embarrassing photos or stories, message your followers, or delete your images. Using unique secure passwords for each account helps protect against this.
Conclusion
Facebook account hacks are prevalent and can expose your private data if hackers gain entry. But the threat can be minimized by enabling Facebook’s security tools like two-factor authentication, using complex passwords, and being wary of phishing attempts.
Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading files from Facebook to keep malware off your devices. Watch for warning signs like unauthorized posts and messages that signal your account may be compromised. And take quick action to lock things down if a hack does occur.
With good security habits, you can enjoy socializing on Facebook while reducing the chances of a harmful breach.