Facebook takes security and privacy very seriously. If a Facebook account is hacked or compromised in any way, Facebook will take steps to secure the account and protect the user. This often involves disabling the account temporarily while an investigation is conducted. Here is a closer look at what happens when a Facebook account is hacked and whether Facebook disables accounts in these situations.
What constitutes a “hacked” Facebook account?
A Facebook account is considered “hacked” when an unauthorized third party gains access to the account. This can happen in a few different ways:
- The account password is stolen through phishing, malware, or a data breach.
- Access tokens used to log into the account are compromised.
- Account recovery options like the phone number or email address are taken over by an attacker.
- Clickjacking tricks the account owner into unknowingly giving away login credentials.
In all of these situations, someone who is not the legitimate account owner is able to log into Facebook as if they were the real account holder. This allows them to view private data, post content, message friends, and generally use the account however they wish.
How does Facebook detect hacked accounts?
Facebook uses sophisticated systems to monitor for suspicious activity and detect when an account may have been compromised. Some of the signals Facebook looks for include:
- Logins from unknown devices or locations, especially if far from the account owner’s normal login points.
- Multiple failed login attempts in a short timeframe.
- Requests to change account information like the password, email, or phone number.
- Unusual posting or messaging behavior compared to the account’s normal activity.
Facebook combines technology like machine learning and automated monitoring with human review from safety specialists. This allows them to identify many compromised accounts quickly after they are hacked.
What happens when Facebook detects a hacked account?
When Facebook determines that an account may be hacked, the first thing they typically do is disable the account. This immediately locks the hacker out and prevents further abuse. The legitimate account owner is also unable to access the account while it is disabled.
Next, Facebook will notify the account owner that unusual activity has been detected. This is done through whatever recovery contact information the user has provided, such as email or phone number. The notification will explain that the account has been temporarily disabled for security reasons.
To regain access, the account owner will need to follow a process to verify their identity. This usually involves:
- Submitting a copy of a government-issued ID that matches the account information.
- Providing a code sent to the account’s recovery email or phone number.
- Answering security questions about the account history and activity.
Facebook will ask the account owner to change the password upon regaining entry to the account. They may also require establishing two-factor authentication if not already set up. This adds an extra layer of security through login approvals needed from a separate mobile device.
How long do hacked account disabling last?
There is no set timeframe for how long Facebook keeps a hacked account disabled. The duration depends on the circumstances and how long their investigation takes. Some factors include:
- The complexity of the hack – More sophisticated cyber attacks can take longer to unravel.
- The extent of the abuse – If the hacker posted prohibited content, messaging many users, or made other broad impacts across Facebook, a more thorough review is required.
- Cooperation of the account owner – If the legitimate owner is slow to respond to requests for identity verification, it delays the process.
That said, Facebook works to re-enable accounts as soon as possible once they have completed the investigation and any remediation needed. In straightforward cases where the account owner responds promptly with the required information, this can be as fast as 24-48 hours.
What happens to hacked accounts that aren’t recovered?
If a disabled account remains unrecovered for an extended period, Facebook will eventually delete it entirely. Reasons this might happen include:
- The hacker is unable to recover the account since they cannot provide valid credentials.
- The legitimate owner abandons the account after it was hacked.
- The owner does not receive or follow through on the recovery notifications sent by Facebook.
Before deleting a disabled account, Facebook will send multiple reminders by email and any other recovery channels they have available. This gives the legitimate owner ample opportunities to regain access. If the notifications continue to go unanswered, Facebook assumes the account is abandoned and removes it permanently.
Can Facebook accounts be hacked again after re-enabling?
Yes, it is possible for a recovered Facebook account to be hacked again in the future if the security issue is not fully resolved. Reasons this could happen include:
- The hacker still has access through a backdoor that was not detected.
- The account owner reuses the same compromised password after resetting it.
- Not enabling two-factor authentication leaves the account vulnerable.
- The hacker exploits the same methods all over again.
To maximize security after an account is recovered from hacking, Facebook recommends several best practices including:
- Changing your password to something completely new that hasn’t been used anywhere else.
- Adding two-factor authentication via an authenticator app or mobile phone.
- Watching closely for any new suspicious activity and reporting it immediately.
- Being cautious of phishing attempts that try to steal your new login credentials.
Enabling login alerts and reviewing your security settings can also help keep your account safe against repeat compromise.
Does Facebook allow appeals for disabled accounts?
Facebook does have an appeals process that allows users to request a review if they believe their account was incorrectly disabled. Some common situations where an appeal may be warranted include:
- The account was disabled by mistake and was not actually hacked.
- The account owner cannot comply with the recovery steps due to issues like losing the phone number or government ID.
- Facebook believes the account was hacked but the owner knows the activity was legitimate.
To submit an appeal, you can fill out the Facebook appeals form explaining why you believe the account disable was an error. Facebook’s appeals team will then review the circumstances and make a determination. If your appeal is successful, Facebook will reverse the disable and let you back into the account.
How can you prevent your Facebook account from being hacked?
The most effective way to avoid having your Facebook account hacked is practicing strong security hygiene and being cautious online. Recommended tips include:
- Use a unique, complex password that you don’t reuse anywhere else.
- Set up two-factor authentication via mobile app or text message.
- Be wary of phishing attempts to steal your login information.
- Don’t use public Wi-Fi networks to access Facebook on mobile devices.
- Keep software on all devices updated and run anti-virus scans.
- Don’t grant account access lightly to unknown third-party apps.
- Monitor your security settings and login notifications for suspicious activity.
- Report any issues to Facebook right away for fastest resolution.
Conclusion
Facebook has robust processes in place to detect compromised accounts and swiftly disables them when hacking appears to have occurred. This protects users from ongoing account abuse following a successful cyber attack. While it can be inconvenient to have your account suddenly disabled, Facebook’s priority is preventing further harm while they investigate.
Through identity verification and improved security measures, Facebook works to re-enable hacked accounts as quickly as possible. Account owners play a key role by responding promptly to Facebook’s instructions for recovery. Activating two-factor authentication, using strong passwords, and remaining vigilant against phishing are also critical to keeping accounts safe against hacking in the first place.