Facebook locks accounts after too many failed login attempts as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access. There are a few key reasons why Facebook implements this policy:
To Protect User Accounts from Hacking Attempts
One of the main reasons Facebook locks accounts is to thwart hacking attempts. If someone tries to guess a user’s password repeatedly, it’s likely they are trying to gain unauthorized access to the account. By locking the account after a certain number of failed logins, Facebook makes it harder for hackers to succeed in their attempts. This helps keep user accounts more secure.
To Prevent Automated Attacks
In addition to targeted hacking attempts, Facebook also wants to prevent automated credential stuffing attacks. This is when cybercriminals use botnets and credential lists obtained from previous data breaches to try logging into accounts across different sites. By locking accounts after repeated failed logins, Facebook makes these types of brute force, automated attacks less effective.
To Protect User Privacy
If someone gains unauthorized access to a Facebook account, they could access private information about the account holder. Things like posts, messages, photos, interests, and contact details could be viewed or exploited by the hacker. So by locking accounts after too many failed logins, Facebook aims to protect user privacy and prevent personal information falling into the wrong hands.
Account Protection Measures
When an account gets locked for too many login attempts, Facebook employs several layers of protection:
- The account is completely inaccessible until the owner takes further action to unlock it.
- The owner must go through an identity confirmation flow to prove they are the legitimate account holder.
- Once unlocked, the account has increased security protections enabled temporarily.
These measures are designed to stop the suspicious login activity and re-secure the account after too many failed attempts.
How Many Attempts Trigger Lockout
Facebook does not publicly provide the exact number of failed login attempts that will trigger a lockout. This is because disclosing the threshold could help attackers plan their efforts. However, based on user reports, it seems the limit is somewhere between 10-15 failed login attempts in a short period of time. The timeframe considered likely also varies based on risk signals Facebook detects. For example, logins from suspicious locations could see the account locked sooner than normal.
Duration of Account Lockouts
When accounts get locked for failed logins, the duration of the lockout depends on several factors:
- How many failed attempts triggered the lock
- Whether the owner can successfully confirm their identity to unlock
- If other suspicious signals are detected by Facebook’s systems
Initial lockout durations typically range from 1 hour to 24 hours. In some cases, the account may remain locked pending identity confirmation by the owner. The increased security measures also remain enabled for several days after unlocking in many cases.
How to Unlock a Locked Account
To regain access to a locked account, the legitimate account holder needs to:
- Attempt to login at facebook.com and click the “Get Help with Access” option
- Select option to confirm identity using mobile number or email on the account
- Enter the 6-digit code sent to confirmed number/email to prove identity
- Reset password and regain account access
This identity confirmation flow is designed to prove someone is the legitimate account owner before unlocking. Other options like regaining access through trusted friends/contacts may also be available in some cases.
Avoiding Facebook Account Lockouts
Users can take the following steps to minimize the risk of getting locked out of Facebook for failed logins:
- Use a strong, unique password that cannot be easily guessed
- Do not use the same password across multiple sites
- Enable two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security
- Watch out for phishing attempts trying to steal login credentials
- Make sure to fully logout and clear browser sessions after use
Being cautious and using good password practices makes it much less likely to have failed login issues leading to lockouts.
Conclusion
Facebook locks accounts after a number of failed login attempts to protect users against hacking attempts, brute force attacks, and unauthorized access. The lockouts help secure accounts in the short-term, while users can undergo an identity confirmation flow to unlock access. While inconvenient, this policy ultimately helps keep Facebook user accounts and data more secure against compromise.