What to do if your Facebook account is hacked
If you suspect your Facebook account has been hacked or taken over by someone else, there are steps you can take to try to secure your account. Here are some quick answers to common questions about what to do if your Facebook account is hacked:
How do I know if my Facebook account is hacked?
Some signs your Facebook account may be hacked include:
– Strange posts or messages being shared from your account that you did not write
– Emails from Facebook about password resets you did not initiate
– Being logged out of your account unexpectedly
– Friends telling you they received odd messages from your account
– Not being able to log in to your account despite entering the correct password
What should I do if my Facebook account is hacked?
If you believe your account has been hacked, here are the steps to take:
1. Log out of your account on all devices if possible. This will log the hacker out too.
2. Change your Facebook password immediately. Make sure the new password is strong and unique.
3. Enable two-factor authentication on your account for extra security. This requires you to enter a special code from your phone when logging in.
4. Scan your computer for malware, just in case your account was accessed locally.
5. Check your Facebook settings and remove anything suspicious that the hacker may have changed, like adding unknown email accounts.
6. Report the hacked account to Facebook so they can investigate.
How do I report a hacked Facebook account?
To report your hacked Facebook account:
1. Go to facebook.com/hacked from a desktop computer and follow the steps. Or, from your mobile Facebook app, go to Settings > Security and Login > Get Accounts Help.
2. Facebook will guide you through steps to try securing and recovering your account.
3. Provide as many details as possible in the report to help Facebook identify suspicious activity.
4. Be ready to verify your identity by providing documents or codes sent to your email or mobile number linked to the account.
How long does it take to get a hacked Facebook account back?
It can take up to a few days for Facebook to investigate a hacked account report and help you restore access. The exact timeframe depends on each case, but be patient as Facebook’s security team works to review your issue and verify you are the rightful account owner.
Stay persistent in following up if you do not regain access within a few days. Continue responding to Facebook emails or in-app messages to provide any other details requested while they investigate.
Protecting your Facebook account from hackers
Once you regain access to your account after being hacked, it’s important to take measures to better secure your account going forward. Here are proactive tips to help prevent your Facebook from being hacked again:
Use a strong password
– Your Facebook password should be long, complex, and unique from passwords on your other accounts. Avoid common words, phrases, or personal info.
– Consider using a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.
– Change your password periodically.
Enable two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication adds an extra step to logging in. After entering your password, you will get a code via text or authentication app that must also be entered. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your account.
Be wary of phishing
Phishing is when hackers try to trick you into revealing sensitive info via fake emails, texts, calls or messages pretending to be from Facebook. Learn to recognize phishing attempts. Facebook will never ask you outright for your password.
Check privacy settings
Review your Facebook privacy settings periodically. Make sure you have the tightest security controls enabled for who can see your posts, info and search you on Facebook.
Install security software
Malware on your devices can spy on your online activity and steal passwords. Keep antivirus software, firewalls and anti-spyware updated. Only install apps from trusted sources.
Avoid shady links
Be cautious clicking random links online as they may install malware. Hover over links to preview destinations before clicking. Don’t open attachments from unknown senders.
Monitor account activity
Routinely check your Facebook settings, security logins and notifications for any suspicious posts, logins or changes made to your account. Report anything anomalous to Facebook right away.
Avoid public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is often unsecure. Only access sensitive accounts like Facebook via password protected private networks to avoid snooping. Consider using a VPN.
Recovering from account theft
If you do have your Facebook account compromised, here are some important recovery steps to take beyond just regaining access to your account:
Change passwords on other accounts
If your Facebook password was hacked, assume the password is compromised overall. Change it on any other accounts where you used that same password to prevent further damage.
Remove unauthorized alterations
Scan your Facebook profile and posts for any changes the hacker may have made, like new friends added, private info posted publicly or messages sent. Delete anything suspicious.
Warn contacts
Let your Facebook friends know your account was hacked in case they received any strange messages from your account so they know it wasn’t really from you.
Review account data
Check what personal info the hacker may have accessed while in your account. You can download a copy of your Facebook data to see what the hacker could see.
Reset account associations
If you had your Facebook account linked to other apps or services, the hacker may have gained access to those too. Reset passwords and unlink Facebook from anywhere else it was connected.
Enhance other security
Take time to boost security across the rest of your online accounts, implementing precautions like two-factor authentication wherever possible in case the hacker tries to access your other accounts.
Preventing Facebook account hacking
Here is a summary of the top tips covered to help prevent your Facebook account from getting hacked:
| Use strong unique passwords | Make your Facebook password complex and different from all other accounts |
| Enable two-factor authentication | Require a code from your phone to login for extra protection |
| Watch for phishing attempts | Don’t input your password if contacted unexpectedly about your account |
| Check your privacy settings | Control who can view your profile, posts and search for you |
| Install security software | Keep malware protection on your devices up-to-date |
| Avoid suspicious links | Only click links from trusted sources and preview destinations |
| Monitor your account | Regularly check settings and notifications for suspicious activity |
| Use private Wi-Fi | Don’t access your account on public networks |
What to do when your Facebook account is hacked
If your Facebook account is taken over, here are the steps to take:
| Log out on all devices | Sign the hacker out if possible |
| Change your password | Choose a new strong, complex password |
| Enable two-factor authentication | Add extra login protection with a verification code |
| Scan for malware | Check if account was hacked locally on your device |
| Remove unfamiliar settings | Delete anything the hacker added or changed |
| Report the hack to Facebook | Notify Facebook’s security team for investigation |
| Follow up persistently | Keep responding to Facebook to aid investigation |
Recovering your account after a hack
Once you have your Facebook account back from a hacker, be sure to also take these steps:
| Change passwords everywhere | Update passwords on any other accounts with shared passwords |
| Remove unauthorized changes | Delete posts, messages, friends and anything else suspicious |
| Notify your contacts | Tell friends you were hacked in case they got odd messages |
| Review accessed data | Check what personal info may have been compromised |
| Reset linked accounts | Unlink and change passwords where Facebook connected |
| Boost overall security | Improve protections for all your online accounts |
Conclusion
Getting your Facebook account hacked can be a stressful and invasive experience. However, by taking quick steps to report it to Facebook, change your password, enable two-factor authentication and remove anything suspicious the hacker did, you can recover your account and secure it for the future. Be vigilant against phishing attempts, use strong unique passwords, monitor your account activity closely, and protect all your devices to proactively guard against hackers. With good security habits, you can minimize your risk of having your Facebook or other important online accounts compromised.