As Facebook is becoming the world’s biggest social network , your FB account also becomes more and more functional – you can use it to log into many application or to register to other services.
However, it is this convenience that may bring unexpected trouble if you don’t carefully manage your account. Hackers can use breached Facebook accounts to access many different sites through automatic logins. What’s more, you can become a victim of identity theft, as your personal information may be collected and sold.
A simple check to know if your Facebook account is still safe
If you suspect your account has been hacked or taken over by someone, you can follow the steps below to make a quick check.
1. Click the inverted triangle button in the upper-right corner of your Facebook Page. Choose Settings in the menu.
2. Choose Security and Where You’re Logged In.
3. In this sector you can see a list showing where and from which devices you’ve logged into.
If there are any logins you cannot recognize, you may need to further check You can click End Activity to first log out this session. If your account is unfortunately taken over, this step helps you stop the hacker from accessing your account temporarily before you take further action.
Facebook also provides some possible scenarios for users as hints of a hacked account:
▪ Your email or password has been changed
▪ Your name or birthday has been changed
▪ Friend requests have been sent to people you don’t know
▪ Messages that you didn’t write have been sent
▪ Posts have been published but you didn’t create them
What should you do if your FB account is hacked?
After checking your Activity log and delete unwanted login actions, it is highly recommended to change your password. Then, visit Facebook Help Center Page, find the sector ‘I think my account was hacked or someone is using it without my permission’, and click ‘secure it’. Facebook will give you further instructions to help you take back your account.
Security tips to enhance your account security
There are some precautions you can take to keep your account safe.
1. Carefully manage your account
Create a strong password for your accounts. Do NOT reuse this password in any other account, including Facebook, Google, and many other service. And never share your password with anyone else.
Also, if you are not using your own devices, always remember to log out after finishing the connection. If you forget to do so, Facebook also supports remote logout.
2. Enable additional security features
Many services have provided a two-step verification. This feature offers an extra layer of protection. In addition to the account password, one is required to enter a verification code to log in.
3. Use other security service
It is suggested to run other security software or applications for your PC. An anti-virus program can not only stop attackers from hacking into your PC, but also send you timely alerts when detecting suspicious activities. A VPN service encrypts data transmitted from your device to the receiver’s, preventing snoopers and identity thieves from stealing personal information, including account details, banking information, and other credentials.