Facebook remains one of the most popular social media platforms, with billions of users worldwide. However, there have been some notable developments and changes to Facebook accounts in recent years that users should be aware of.
Two-Factor Authentication
One of the most important updates Facebook has made is adding two-factor authentication as an option for all users. Two-factor authentication requires you to enter a code or confirm your login attempt on a second device, like your phone, when trying to access your account. This extra layer of security makes it much harder for hackers to access your account, even if they obtain your password through phishing or other methods.
Facebook first rolled out two-factor authentication in 2011, but it wasn’t enabled by default for most users. However, in 2020 Facebook enabled two-factor by default for groups it deemed “high-risk” like politicians, journalists, and human rights activists. In March 2022, two-factor authentication became the default setting for all Facebook users. Users have to opt-out if they don’t want to use it.
Experts widely recommend that all Facebook users enable two-factor authentication if they haven’t already, as it greatly enhances account security. The process for setting it up is simple and only takes a few minutes. Just go into your Facebook settings and navigate to the two-factor authentication page. You’ll be given the option to confirm logins with codes sent to your phone or an authentication app.
Stronger Password Requirements
Along with two-factor authentication, Facebook has also imposed stronger password requirements over the years. Previously, Facebook allowed passwords as short as 6 characters long and containing only numbers. This led to many accounts being compromised.
Now, Facebook requires a minimum password length of 8 characters using a mix of letters, numbers and punctuation. Passwords are case sensitive. Facebook will also periodically prompt you to update your password if you haven’t changed it in a while.
Experts recommend making your Facebook password unique from passwords used on other sites. Password manager apps can help you generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account you have.
Facial Recognition Login
In late 2017, Facebook began rolling out facial recognition as an option to verify your identity when logging in instead of typing a password. This feature uses your phone or computer’s camera to capture an image of your face and compare it to a photo you’ve already tagged of yourself on Facebook.
If the images match, you’re logged in. This can be a quicker way to access your account than typing a password, especially on mobile devices. However, there are privacy concerns around Facebook collecting biometric data for facial recognition. The feature is optional and off by default.
Login Notifications and Alerts
Facebook has settings that allow you to receive notifications when certain account activity occurs. This can alert you to suspicious logins or hacking attempts.
Under “Settings & Privacy” you can turn on login notifications. This sends you a notification any time someone logs into your Facebook account. You can also receive alerts for logins from unrecognized devices or browsers.
There is also an option to get notifications about account recovery attempts. So if someone tries resetting your password, you’ll be notified. Turning these notifications on helps you monitor activity and catch unauthorized access quickly.
Where You’re Logged In
A relatively new and useful security feature is the ability to see all the locations and devices you are currently logged into Facebook on. Under “Settings & Privacy” you’ll find a “Security and Login” page that shows Active Sessions.
This allows you to check for and log out of any sessions you don’t recognize. For example, if you notice login activity from another state or country, that could indicate your account has been compromised. Ending those unfamiliar sessions is a good security practice.
Login Approvals
Facebook allows you to require an approval from one of your previously authorized devices or browsers each time someone tries logging into your account. This adds another layer of two-factor authentication.
To enable this, go to “Settings & Privacy” then “Security and Login”. Toggle “Require an approval to log in” on. Then select the devices or browsers you want login requests to be approved on before access is granted.
This safety feature helps prevent unauthorized logins even if someone knows your password. However, it can be inconvenient to need device approvals frequently. It’s most useful when you know you’ll be logging in from trusted devices routinely.
Banned Locations
A feature called Login Approvals allows you to outright ban logins from certain locations. Maybe you plan on only accessing your account from home and work. You can set your hometown and office city as approved locations.
Then, if there’s a login attempt from another country or unfamiliar location, it will automatically be blocked. You’ll be notified so you can take further action like resetting your password.
The banned locations feature gives you tighter control over where Facebook can be accessed from. Use it if you primarily use Facebook from a fixed set of locations and want greater lockdown security.
Legacy Contact
A legacy contact is someone you choose to manage your Facebook account if you pass away. This person can write pinned posts for your profile, respond to friend requests and update your profile and cover photos.
Legacy contacts promote memorialization of your account and allow loved ones to interact with it after you’re gone. To set one up, go to your General Account Settings and click “Memorialization Settings”.
You can select a friend to notify Facebook of your passing and manage your account. They’ll only gain access once Facebook receives proper documentation of your death.
Account Deletion
If you no longer wish to maintain your Facebook account, you can request to have it permanently deleted. Under Settings, click on “Your Facebook Information” then “Deactivation and Deletion”.
You’ll go through a 14-day waiting period after requesting deletion. During this time your account is deactivated but content is still recoverable. After 14 days all your information is erased from Facebook’s servers.
Be cautious before deleting your account, as the process is irreversible. You’ll lose access to information you’ve shared on Facebook over the years.
Ads and Data Use Settings
Facebook collects a lot of data about you to serve targeted ads. In your Ad Settings you can manage what data is used for advertising purposes.
You can opt out of certain categories like relationship status, employer, job titles and political beliefs being used to serve you ads. Adjust these categories based on what you’re comfortable with Facebook knowing and leveraging.
There’s also an option in settings to see less ads from a particular advertiser when you mark their ads as irrelevant. Additionally you can choose whether ads can be shown to you based on data from third party partners.
Download Your Information
If you want a comprehensive record of your Facebook history, you can download all the data associated with your account. This includes your posts, photos, messages, ads you’ve clicked on and more.
Navigate to Settings – Your Facebook Information – Download Your Information to initiate a download of your archive. It takes a few days for Facebook to compile all your data. This can serve as a backup if you ever deactivate your account.
Facial Recognition Settings
As mentioned earlier, Facebook has facial recognition capabilities but it’s not turned on by default. You can manage facial recognition under “Settings & Privacy”.
Facial recognition uses AI algorithms to identify people in photos and videos you upload. Facebook will suggest tagging people based on public photos they’ve been tagged in before.
If you’re uncomfortable with Facebook’s software detecting faces and proposing tags, you can disable the facial recognition setting. You can also delete any facial recognition templates Facebook has created from photos of you.
App Authentication
Third-party apps that connect with Facebook require your permission to access your profile and account data. You can manage these authorizations under Settings.
Go to – Settings & Privacy – Apps and Websites to view and remove access for any suspicious or unwanted apps. It’s smart to periodically audit this page to ensure only recognized apps have access to your account.
For greater security, you can also require an app-specific password that’s generated just for that third-party app to connect to your Facebook account. This keeps your main account password private.
Trusted Contacts
Trusted contacts are friends you select who can help access your account if you’re unable to. You can assign 3-5 trusted contacts.
If you forget your Facebook password or get locked out of your account, you can request a security code from your trusted contacts to regain access. This is helpful in the event you lose your phone that’s tied to two-factor authentication.
Trusted contacts is an alternate account recovery option so you don’t get fully locked out if your phone is stolen or your two-factor authentication device is inaccessible for any reason.
Login Alerts
Under “Security and Login” settings, you can turn on login alerts to be notified whenever someone accesses your Facebook account. You can tailor alerts for logins from unrecognized devices as well.
Login alerts serve as an extra monitoring tool so you know when and where your account is being accessed. Enable them to be aware of any suspicious activity so you can promptly take action to secure your account if needed.
Remove Tagged Photos
When other people tag you in photos on Facebook, those photos appear in the “Photos of You” section of your profile. If you don’t like certain photos being visible there, you can remove the tag.
Go to your profile, click “Photos of You”, select the images you want removed and click “Remove Tag” to untag yourself. The photos will no longer be visible on your profile. This gives you some control over your photo presence.
Limit Ad Topics
You can limit the types of ads Facebook shows you based on inferred interests and online activity tracking. Go to “Settings & Privacy” then “Ads”.
Here you can hide ad topics you no longer want to see ads about, like travel, pets, parenting etc. Adjusting your ad interests frequently ensures you only see ads that are relevant to your current needs and preferences.
Secure Browsing
Facebook has a secure browsing feature that encrypts your connection for greater protection against hacking attempts when using the site over public WiFi. It makes it harder for third-parties to access the data you exchange with Facebook.
You can enable secure browsing under Settings – Security and Login. A lock icon will appear on Facebook when your secure connection is active. This prevents snooping on any of your Facebook activity when on public networks.
Conclusion
Facebook’s security and privacy settings allow you to tailor your account to your comfort level. Take advantage of features like two-factor authentication, trusted contacts and login approvals to lock down access.
Regularly check locations you’re logged in from to watch for unauthorized access attempts. Be selective in what facial recognition, ads and app permissions you allow. Download your information as a backup.
Stay vigilant about Facebook account security given how much personal data is entrusted to it. Enable notifications, monitor your activity history and utilize all the tools Facebook provides to take control of your privacy.