How to know if your Facebook account has been hacked and how to protect it
Facebook has over two billion subscribers, making it a commercial hub for hackers to showcase their skills. Facebook account breach statistics show that more than 150,000 accounts are hacked every day, which is the reason for this article. Hackers are smart and may be tracking your account without you knowing. Here is a step you can take to find out if your Facebook account has been hacked: сlick on the drop-down menu button with the triangle in the top right-hand corner of your Facebook page and select 'Settings'. A new menu will appear. Select Security and Login > Where You're Logged In. You'll see a list of devices you're signed in to, and if you don't recognise any of them, it means your account has been hacked.
Also be on the lookout for changes like:
- when you notice that your personal information like name, email, birthday, and password has been changed
- when you notice activities or actions you did not authorise, like friend requests, direct message, and post on your timeline.
If you notice any of the above suspicious activities on your account, quickly engage with Facebook's laid-down account recovery processes.
Facebook has a robust security plan and guidelines on how to protect your account. All you need do is click on Settings > Security and Login > Setting Up Extra Security. On this dropdown:
- activate two-factor authentication and select an extra layer of security with strong passwords
- activate login alerts to get notified when an unauthorised attempt is being made on your account
- select trusted friends and family members to contact if you get locked out
- adjust your privacy policy and make yourself less visible by changing from public to friends only or selected friends. This will limit the chance of a hacker stalking you through your activities.
With all this in mind, use a VPN. It will protect you from being spied on, especially when . Facebook subscribers are advised to keep an eye out for new security features and to be careful about the links they click on when browsing Facebook. Limit the information you post on Facebook and avoid revealing your information when chatting with a stranger or a friend you know a little. Be sure to regularly check your Facebook account by following the steps outlined above, and act immediately if you become aware of a breach.