It can be concerning when you notice your Facebook account has liked pages or content that you don’t remember interacting with. There are a few potential reasons why this could happen.
You were hacked
One possibility is that someone else accessed your account without your knowledge and liked pages on your behalf. If a hacker gained access to your account, they could have gone on a liking spree in an effort to spread spam or malware. This is one of the more serious potential causes.
Signs your account was hacked:
- You notice likes on pages you would never interact with or topics that don’t interest you.
- You see posts or messages you didn’t write posted on your timeline.
- You can’t log in to your account because the password was changed.
- You get emails about password reset requests you didn’t initiate.
- Friends tell you they received spam messages that appeared to come from you.
If you suspect your account has been hacked, first secure your account by changing your password, reviewing login locations, and turning on two-factor authentication if you haven’t already. Also scan your computer for malware just in case. Then you can go through your activity log and unlike pages you didn’t engage with.
Accidental clicks and taps
Another innocuous possibility is that you or someone who borrowed your phone accidentally liked a page while browsing. It’s easy to tap like on something without meaning to. This is likely if you notice likes on just a page or two that don’t match your interests. You can simply unlike these to remove them from your profile.
Facebook’s algorithms
Facebook uses sophisticated algorithms to recommend content to users. Often this is based on pages your friends like or topics you’ve shown interest in. It’s possible Facebook suggested some pages you don’t remember liking, and you clicked like out of curiosity without realizing it. With targeted advertising, Facebook works hard to show you relevant pages to get you to engage more on the platform. You may have just mindlessly interacted with a suggested page without even reading it closely.
Clickjacking scams
Clickjacking is a technique scammers use where they trick you into clicking something you didn’t mean to. They create embedded buttons or links that are invisible to the user but still record clicks. This is often used on sketchy pages to try to spread spam and malware. If you visited a shady website that used clickjacking, it could have racked up fake likes on your account without you realizing it.
Avoiding clickjacking:
- Don’t visit websites you don’t trust or click sketchy looking links.
- Use antivirus software to try detecting these types of threats.
- Adjust browser settings to block third party cookies and iframes, which clickjackers rely on.
If you notice strange likes from websites you’ve never visited, clickjacking may be to blame. Make sure to scan your computer for viruses and reset your Facebook password.
Facebook bugs
Like any software, Facebook can have occasional bugs and glitches. In rare cases, problems on Facebook’s end could cause likes to show up on accounts erroneously. Over the years, some bugs have caused posts to be shared under users’ names without consent. So in theory, it’s possible a bug could auto-like a page as well. If the issue was widespread, Facebook would likely acknowledge and fix the problem. If you notice just a like or two you didn’t make, it was likely an isolated glitch.
Facebook business connections
If you’ve liked any Facebook pages for businesses, locations, or community groups, that could explain some unfamiliar likes. Facebook’s algorithms try to connect users with pages similar to ones they’ve already liked. So for example, if you liked a local restaurant’s page, Facebook may suggest liking other nearby businesses. You may have liked some suggested pages without fully registering what they were if you were clicking around quickly. Check if any surprising likes are for businesses, venues, or community organizations, since Facebook tries proactively connecting users with local pages.
Page names changed
One other explanation is that you liked a page that later changed its name to something unfamiliar. Page administrators can change the names of Facebook pages. So it’s possible you intentionally liked a page in the past that then altered its name to something you didn’t recognize. See if any suspect likes are for pages that seem recently created. The name could have changed after you originally liked it.
You forgot you liked it
It’s also entirely possible you simply forgot about liking a page. If you’ve been on Facebook for a long time and like a lot of pages, you won’t necessarily remember every single one. We all mindlessly scroll and click on things occasionally without full awareness. Unless a page is wildly out of character for your interests, chalking it up to a foggy memory is reasonable. You can always unlike a page if you want to. But if the content doesn’t seem concerning, it may not be worth worrying about.
What to do about suspicious likes
If you notice likes on many pages that seem completely unfamiliar, take steps to secure your account and figure out what happened. Unliking suspicious pages can help eliminate any spam or malware if your account was compromised. But a few random likes here and there likely occurred accidentally or were forgotten. Don’t panic if you see a few unfamiliar likes. However, contacting Facebook support if you’re very concerned and can’t identify where many likes came from is an option. Overall, stay vigilant about securing your account and practicing good digital hygiene.
| Reason | Warning Signs | Steps to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Hacked Account | Likes on many unrelated pages, changed password, strange posts made in your name, login from unknown locations | Change password, turn on two-factor authentication, scan devices for malware |
| Accidental Clicks | Few likes on random pages here and there | Simply unlike pages |
| Facebook Suggestions | Likes on related or local pages | Unlike if desired |
| Clickjacking Scam | Likes from unknown websites after visiting sketchy pages | Scan for malware, change Facebook password |
| Facebook Bug | Isolated likes you can’t explain | Wait for Facebook to fix, unlike them |
| Page Name Change | Like is on seemingly new page | See if page name recently changed |
| Forgot Liking It | Like seems reasonable for your interests | Unlike if desired, otherwise don’t worry about it |
Be proactive about account security
To help prevent your account from being compromised in the future:
- Use a strong, unique password that mixes letters, numbers and symbols.
- Don’t share your Facebook password with others.
- Turn on login approvals requiring a code sent to your phone or authenticator app.
- Be cautious clicking links or downloading files from people you don’t know.
- Review your security and login settings regularly.
Enabling two-factor authentication is one of the best steps to secure your account. With it activated, logging in requires providing a temporary code from your phone even if someone knows your password. Making your password strong, long and unique also helps prevent it from being guessed.
How to turn on two-factor authentication:
- Click on the arrow in the top right and go to “Settings”.
- Under “Security and Login” select “Login approvals”.
- Choose what method you want to receive codes through (text, authenticator app, backup codes, etc).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setup.
Going forward you’ll need to provide the texted or generated login code at each login attempt. This prevents a hacker from accessing your account even if they learn your password. Enabling this extra layer of security can help give you peace of mind.
Be wary of shady websites and links
One of the trickier ways your account can be compromised or subjected to clickjacking is by visiting sketchy websites. Be cautious about clicking links sent to you by strangers or opening unrecognized email attachments. Use antivirus software to try detecting malicious programs. And avoid entering your Facebook login or other personal information on unfamiliar sites you don’t fully trust. Being selective about where you browse online helps limit your exposure.
Tips for website safety:
- Hover over links to see the URL before clicking.
- Watch for misspelled or suspicious looking domains.
- Don’t enter your login or personal info on unfamiliar sites.
- Use a pop-up blocker and antivirus software.
- Make sure you have a secure internet connection if browsing in public.
The vast majority of websites are safe, but being vigilant protects you from threats. Get in the habit of double checking URLs and links before interacting with them.
Remove any malware found
If your computer or mobile devices have been infected with malware, that can allow an attacker to control your Facebook usage remotely. Run thorough antivirus scans to check for anything suspicious. If you find malicious software, remove it immediately and reset your Facebook password again if needed. Preventing malware in the first place is ideal, but routine scans can detect anything that slipped through the cracks.
Scanning for malware:
- Use trustworthy antivirus software from major vendors like Norton or McAfee.
- Do full system scans of your computer and mobile devices.
- Quarantine or remove anything suspicious found.
- Update your antivirus software regularly.
- Consider using an antimalware tool like Malwarebytes in addition to antivirus.
Installing antivirus software from a reputable company gives you a line of defense against malware. Running occasional full system scans catches any potential threats. Remove anything harmful detected to eliminate risks of your account being accessed.
Check your browsing history
Looking through your web browsing history can sometimes provide clues about how unfamiliar likes ended up on your Facebook account. Scan through your history from around the time the likes occurred. Check if you visited any sketchy looking pages that could have used clickjacking or other tactics. Your history can refresh your memory about what websites you’ve interacted with recently.
You may notice likes happened around the time you:
- Visited an unfamiliar site you don’t remember going to.
- Clicked an odd link someone emailed or messaged you.
- Browsed while using unprotected public WiFi.
- Downloaded an attachment or file from someone suspicious.
If anything stands out as potentially risky or strange, make note of it. These types of pages or links could be tied to the unrecognized likes on Facebook. Checking your history provides helpful context.
Monitor your account closely
Whenever something unusual happens with your account, it’s smart to monitor your profile and activity log more closely for a period of time. Watch for any other suspicious behavior like strange posts or messages sent from your account. If you see any other signs of potential hacking or access by someone else, take steps like resetting your password immediately.
Closely review your profile and security settings for:
- Odd messages sent to your friends.
- Unfamiliar “Checked in” places posted.
- Profile information changed without your doing.
- New pages liked or content posted.
- Login from a location you don’t recognize.
Hopefully increased monitoring will give you peace of mind that your account hasn’t been compromised further. But catching additional unusual activity right away allows you to lock down your account faster.
Add extra login protections
For extra security, you can add some additional obstacles to anyone trying to access your Facebook account. This helps prevent successful logins even if someone knows your password.
Some added protections include:
- Require a code be sent to your phone to login.
- Use third-party authenticator app for two-factor authentication.
- Add trusted contact(s) to help if you’re locked out.
- Require your date of birth to be entered to login.
- Set up Facebook Protect for high risk accounts.
The more protections and hurdles in place, the harder it becomes for someone else to access your account. Minimizing the chances of a successful break-in provides peace of mind.
Avoid using public WiFi
Public WiFi networks at coffee shops, airports, etc. are not very secure. Connecting to public WiFi makes it easier for hackers to sneakily access your browsing activity and account information. If you logged into Facebook over public WiFi, that could have allowed strangers access to then like pages or posts.
To stay safer on public networks:
- Avoid logging into sensitive accounts like Facebook or email.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your activity.
- Stick to browsing websites and avoid entering personal info.
- Turn off auto-connect so your device doesn’t join public WiFi without asking.
Ideally don’t use public networks for anything highly sensitive if possible. A VPN provides encryption but can slow your connection. At minimum be very selective about what you access over public hotspots.
Conclusion
Likes showing up on your Facebook account from pages you don’t recognize can certainly be odd. But in most cases it is caused by an innocent mistake, accident, or glitch. Hacking is a possibility, but not the only explanation. Review your activity log for clues, secure your account, and monitor for any other unusual behavior. Unless there are lots of extremely suspicious likes, it likely is just an occasional fluke. Being smart about account security and website safety prevents most issues.