Ask me how to save your Facebook account from being hacked because it could be the next account to be hacked if you don’t do this. The rate at which Facebook accounts is being hacked these days is alarming and I keep wondering why people are victims of these kinds of things.
Just about three days ago, two friends reached out to me that their Facebook account has been taken over and they can’t log in 🤦♂️🤦♂️. This morning again, one of my senior friends reached out to me for help about an account that had been hacked 😒😒😒. The sad thing is that the hacker had changed all the emails and phone numbers – every detail that’s personal to them to enable them to retrieve their Facebook accounts. 😢
My interest today is to let you know how you can ensure your Facebook account is not vulnerable to hackers. Let me share with you five key things you can do. 👌👌
👉🏽 Change your Facebook password to a secure one
👉🏽 Don’t save your password on devices that aren’t yours
👉🏽 Take up on Facebook’s Security Offers
👉🏽 Be wary of the apps on your phones and other devices
👉🏽 Report suspicious accounts
Now let’s talk in brief detail about those five things.
Change your Facebook Password to a Secure One
If your password is something like “password”, “queen”, “tobi1994” or any string that has to do with your name, your birthday, your child’s name, the area you live or anything that’s public knowledge, plain text or a string of numbers, then your password is not secure.
Your password should be a minimum of 10 characters – containing alphabets, numbers and symbols. You can make a password from a sentence, taking the first letters and string it using alphabets, numbers and symbols. If you are not cut for that kind of stress, use a password manager like LastPass.
Now, this is a bonus – don’t use the same password for more than one account. This is where a password manager comes in.
Read Also: Staying Safe Online
Don’t save your password on devices that aren’t yours
Sometimes you might need to sign in to your Facebook account on a device that isn’t yours. Probably you borrowed a friend’s mobile or PC or checked in at a cybercafe. I understand the need to quickly check in on the buzz and react. If you cannot resist the urge not to do that, by all means, don’t save your password on such devices. This could have your password compromised. If you’re using a browser, make sure you’re using Incognito/Private mode. If you used a public computer like in a Cafe, make sure you log out and if you are tech-savvy, ensure you clear the browser’s cookies.
Take Up Facebook’s Security Offers
Facebook has many security protocols in place to keep your account safe. Hackers most times capitalize on such vulnerabilities to take control of your account. Set up two-factor authentication. You can use an authenticator app like Authy or Google Authenticator. You can ask Facebook to send a code to your phone by SMS every time you log in from any other device asides yours. Facebook itself detects when there are vulnerable issues and can alert you when they detect issues. In such cases, make sure you keep your email close to you especially for those of you who don’t pay attention to your emails.
There are other security options that Facebook provides, from reviewing where you have logged in to setting up trusted contacts who can help to retrieve your Facebook accounts in case you can’t access it. Kindly check on Settings – Security and Logins from your Facebook account.
Be wary of the apps you have on your phone and other devices
Sometimes when we stumble on offers either on Facebook or on other websites, you can be compelled to share or log in via Facebook. Some apps can be set up to get your Facebook login details. Some are targeted at installing unwanted apps on your phones in order to keep a tab on what you type – from your passwords to your ATM/Credit Card information etc. Make sure any app you install is from PlayStore or AppStore. If for any reason it is not from PlayStore or AppStore, make sure you are savvy enough to know what you are doing before you proceed. Don’t set yourself up to be hacked. Most of the too-good-to-be-true offers you see online are set up to harvest your information. Don’t fall for it.
And as a bonus, ensure the apps on your devices are updated. I know data can be an issue for some people but it matters when you update your apps especially the ones marked for security updates.
Read Also: Stay Productive with These Android Apps
Report suspicious or hacked accounts
For a better and safe world, we all need each other. Every person needs to step up and be responsible to make the world a better place. This includes our use of Facebook, other social media platforms and the internet in general. If you see any account that is compromised, you can do the needful by reporting such profile or pages. Don’t scroll away. Take a few seconds by reporting the profile. By doing that, Facebook can take down such profiles and you reduce the risk of having such hacker affect someone else.
One rule of thumb for keeping your account safe is to never indulge in uncertainties. In case you’re not sure if you have been hacked, change your password and make sure you log out of all devices. Keep an eye on your email and include your phone number to receive alerts when there is suspicious activity on your account.
These tips are not only peculiar to Facebook accounts. In order to prevent your other social media accounts from being hacked, you can also make use of these tips to ensure your accounts are safe.
Has your account being hacked? Share your experience with us in the comments. If you have questions or more clarification on any of the raised issues, please leave a comment. You can also send a message. You can be sure of getting a prompt response.