How to protect your Facebook Account from being hacked
Prevent your Facebook account
TheDigiRev Business Corner
Facebook is the Largest social media platform and would still remain one of the Largest. You are probably a Facebook user too. There have been concerns about security lately on most social media platform which includes Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram etc with people’s account getting hacked unfortunately.
If you have a Facebook personal account, you should have the right to your account anytime, anyday without the fear of being hacked. However, if you have a Facebook business account (A personal account with a business page or a business manager), then you should take all precautions to avoid being hacked as that can be catastrophic, not only can you get locked out of your account but the perpetrator can misrepresent you, your business and can even put you in debt by running ads on your account especially if you have the prepaid payment option.
Some persons have experienced this sad incidence and you definitely do not want to get yourself in this situation, Let's see few quick steps you can take to protect yourself and business.
1) Enable Multi-factor Authentication: One of the most common of these is the two-factor authentication (2FA) and importance of Two-factor this cannot be over-emphasized for online accounts as it give the extra layer of security.
Here is how it works: Although it varies from platform to platform. 2FA ensures your account can only be accessed after an individual passes 2 factor checks, i) Enters correct email/username and password. ii) Enter a unique code sent to you (through SMS, email or phone lock). So for someone to be able to hack your account they would need be able to enter your username and password correctly and also be able to see the unique code sent to you by SMS, email or a phone app locker on your mobile device.
It is very hard for hackers to achieve this as it involves trying to hack you across multiple point, e.g. Your Facebook account and also your phone carrier, email or another app on your device, some unique code even has a duration to which they can be active. Meaning, even if the hacker was successful which would take a while, the unique code would have expired.
2) Recovery account: This is a feature with some account such as recovery email on Google and Trusted Friend on Facebook which add an account that you can use to regain access to your account if you get locked out.
Trusted Friends is an exciting feature which Facebook currently has. It allows you to add trusted friends to your account such that even if eventually someone was able to hack into your account.
You can regain access promptly through your trusted friend(s) as the code to regain access would be sent to them. So ensure you add trusted friends only to this section.
So let's run through these steps to secure your Facebook account:
1) Two Factor Authentication Setup: Login to Facebook through the web not mobile app, a desktop would be more preferable.
To turn on or manage two-factor authentication:
a. Go to your Security and Login Settings <https://web.facebook.com/settings?tab=security>.
b. Scroll down to Use two-factor authentication and click Edit.
c. Choose the security method you want to add and follow the on-screen instructions.
When you set up two-factor authentication on Facebook, you’ll be asked to choose one of two security methods:
· Login codes from a third party authentication app <https://web.facebook.com/help/358336074294704>.
· Text message (SMS) codes <https://web.facebook.com/help/1756727521321961> from your mobile phone.
You'll need to have at least one of these set up in order to use two-factor authentication. Once you have added either text message (SMS) codes or a third party authentication app on your account, you'll also be able to set up some of the optional methods below:
· Approving your login attempt from a device we recognize.
· Using one of your recovery codes <https://web.facebook.com/help/148104135383285>.
· Tapping your security key <https://web.facebook.com/help/401566786855239> on a compatible device.
N.B:
· If you haven't saved the browser or mobile device you're using, you'll be asked to do so when you turn on two-factor authentication. This way you won't have to enter a security code when you log in again. Don't click Save this browser if you're using a public computer that other people can access (example: a library computer).
· We need to be able to remember your computer and browser information so we can recognize it the next time you log in. Some browser features block this. If you've turned on private browsing or set up your browser to clear your history every time it closes, you might have to enter a code every time you log in. Learn more <https://web.facebook.com/help/163190627080285>.
· To set up text message (SMS) two-factor authentication, you can either use a mobile number that’s already been added to your account or add a new number. Learn more <https://web.facebook.com/help/458801388097062> about how Facebook uses a mobile number added for two-factor authentication.
2) Recovery Account:
You can choose friends to be trusted contacts in case you're ever locked out of your Facebook account. After you've chosen your friends, they'll be able to send you a recovery code with a special URL you can use to get back into your account.
To choose your trusted contacts:
a. Go to your Security and Login <https://web.facebook.com/settings?tab=security> settings.
b. Scroll down to Choose 3 to 5 friends to contact if you get locked out and click Edit.
c. Click Choose friends and follow the on-screen instructions.
After you've chosen your trusted contacts, you can always click Edit to change or remove the friends you've chosen.
With these steps you have secured your Facebook Account from being compromised easily.
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