Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 2.8 billion monthly active users as of 2020. With so many people using Facebook regularly, an important consideration is how often Facebook requires users to update or change their account passwords for security purposes. This article will examine Facebook’s password expiration policies and provide guidance on best practices for keeping your Facebook account secure.
Do Facebook Passwords Expire?
The short answer is no, Facebook passwords do not expire after a set period of time. When you create a Facebook account, you can continue using the same password indefinitely if you’d like. Facebook does not force periodic password resets on their users.
However, while Facebook passwords may not expire, the company does strongly recommend that users proactively update their passwords on a regular basis. Facebook’s stated recommendation is for users to change their passwords every few months.
They advise this not because the passwords have an expiration date, but because periodically changing passwords helps protect accounts from unauthorized access. Outdated passwords that never change are more vulnerable to being guessed or compromised.
Facebook Password Security Guidelines
Although Facebook doesn’t expire passwords, they do have password security guidelines in place that aim to help users create strong, safe passwords:
– Minimum length of 6 characters
– Cannot contain your name or email address
– Cannot be a commonly used or compromised password
– Cannot be entirely numeric (like “123456”)
Adhering to these password guidelines can help create a reasonably secure password, even if it remains static. However, many security experts still recommend changing passwords more frequently than Facebook’s policy.
Why You Should Change Your Facebook Password Regularly
Here are some key reasons why it’s a good idea to update your Facebook password from time to time, even though Facebook doesn’t force you to on a fixed schedule:
Outdated Passwords Are Vulnerable
The longer you use the same password, the more opportunities malicious actors have to guess, steal or crack it. It’s akin to never changing the locks when you move into a new home – previous occupants or their friends may still have keys that work. Changing passwords regularly limits the exposure of a single password.
Breaches and Hacks Can Expose Passwords
Major data breaches have impacted Facebook and other popular sites. When password databases get leaked or hacked, reusing the same Facebook password makes you vulnerable if you don’t change it. Cycling passwords regularly can help minimize risk.
Good Password Hygiene and Best Practices
As a matter of good security practice, experts recommend changing passwords frequently as part of overall password hygiene. Even if individual sites like Facebook don’t expire passwords, proactively changing them helps keep you secure.
Peace of Mind
Knowing outdated passwords increase risks, many users feel better changing passwords periodically. Even if not mandatory, cycling through new passwords provides added peace of mind.
How Often Should You Change Your Facebook Password?
Since Facebook doesn’t enforce automatic password expiration, how often should users take it upon themselves to change passwords? Here are some general guidelines:
– Every 90 days – This is a common baseline recommendation from cybersecurity experts for regular password changes. Every 3 months ensures passwords don’t become dangerously outdated.
– Every 6 months – For users with relatively simple passwords or those wanting a bit less frequent changes, every 6 months is reasonable.
– Annually – At bare minimum, passwords should be changed yearly. This follows general best practices for password security hygiene.
– After account irregularities – If you notice suspicious account activity, immediately change your password and enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already.
– After major online breaches – Major breaches like the 2021 Facebook leak should prompt affected users to change Facebook and other passwords, even if unchanged for years.
Ultimately, more frequent password changes confer greater security. But even changing passwords every 6-12 months provides far more protection than never changing them at all.
How to Change Your Facebook Password
Changing your Facebook password is easy to do through the Facebook website or mobile app. Here are the steps:
On Facebook.com:
1. Click the down arrow in the top right and select “Settings”.
2. Click “Security and login” in the left menu.
3. Under “Password”, click “Edit” next to the password field.
4. Enter your current password, then enter and retype a new password.
5. Click “Save Changes”.
Your Facebook password is now changed. The next time you log in, you’ll need to enter the new password.
On the Facebook Mobile App:
1. Tap the three-line “hamburger” menu icon.
2. Scroll down and choose “Settings & privacy”.
3. Select “Settings”.
4. Tap “Security and login”.
5. Tap “Change password”.
6. Enter your current password and new password.
7. Tap “Save” to confirm the new password.
You’ve now successfully changed your Facebook password via mobile app. The changed password will be required upon your next login.
Tips for Creating a Strong Facebook Password
When changing your Facebook password, make sure you create a strong password that’s not easily guessed. Here are password tips:
– Use 8+ characters – Longer passwords are harder to crack.
– Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols – This complexity helps strengthen passwords.
– Avoid dictionary words and personal info – Don’t use proper nouns, birthdays, etc. that could be uncovered.
– Consider passphrases – Long phrases or sentences can be very secure while easier to remember than random characters.
– Don’t reuse passwords – Unique passwords should be used for each important account.
– Use a password manager – Tools like LastPass help generate and remember strong, unique passwords.
Taking steps to ensure your new Facebook password is as strong as possible gives an extra layer of account security.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
In addition to regularly changing your password, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) is highly recommended for all social media accounts, including Facebook. With 2FA enabled, logging into Facebook requires your password plus a secondary step like an SMS code or authentication app. This adds a major barrier against unauthorized logins even if your password is compromised.
Add 2FA to your Facebook account by:
1. Going to “Settings”
2. Selecting “Security and login”
3. Choosing “Use two-factor authentication”
With both strong password practices and 2FA enabled, your Facebook account and data stays securely protected.
Reset Your Forgotten Facebook Password
If you forget your changed Facebook password, you can easily reset it:
On Facebook.com:
1. Click “Forgotten password?” below the login fields.
2. Enter your email or phone number used for your account.
3. Click through the password reset steps emailed or texted to you.
4. Reset your password to a new, secure password.
On mobile:
1. Tap “Forgotten password?”
2. Follow reset instructions sent to your verified email or mobile.
3. Set a new password.
Resetting lets you conveniently set a new password if you can’t recall a recently changed one.
Conclusion
While Facebook does not impose automatic password expiration, regularly changing your Facebook password substantially enhances account security. Cycling through strong, unique passwords every 6-12 months provides protection against unauthorized access, as does enabling two-factor authentication. With good password hygiene practices, you can keep your Facebook account and data safe even without mandated password expiration.
FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Facebook passwords:
Does Facebook ever force you to change your password?
No, Facebook does not force periodic password resets. The only time Facebook makes you change your password is if you request a reset after forgetting your password.
Can someone hack my Facebook if I don’t change the password?
Potentially yes. Unchanged passwords are more vulnerable to hacking, particularly if they are weak, reused across sites, or exposed in data breaches.
What happens if I change my Facebook password and forget it?
You can reset your Facebook password by following the password reset steps emailed/texted to your account’s verified contact info. Resetting lets you easily create a new password.
Does Facebook notify you when your password is changed?
Yes, if your Facebook password is changed by you or someone else, Facebook will send a notification of the password change to your registered email address and/or mobile number.
Can I use the same Facebook password forever?
You can technically use the same unchanged Facebook password indefinitely, but doing so is extremely risky from a security standpoint. Facebook strongly advises updating passwords regularly.
| Password Best Practices | Facebook Policies |
|---|---|
| Use 8+ characters | 6+ character minimum |
| Change passwords every 90 days | No enforced expiration |
| Don’t use personal info | No passwords with personal info |
| Use a password manager | Password manager integration available |
| Enable two-factor authentication | Optional two-factor authentication |