11 Ways of Preventing Facebook Hacks

Facebook, a popular social media platform, has grown globally with billion users. Apart from social interactions, the platform markets business products. Most businesspeople have created Facebook pages to capture and interact with more customers. However, technological advancements have threatened Facebook users, with hackers targeting business and individual accounts. Sometimes, the business pages are left vulnerable by authorized users. At other times, attackers can breach the laid down security measures.

Globally, daily Facebook hacking affects more than 16,000 users. Most Facebook users are relaxed on their accounts’ security, leaving them vulnerable to attackers. Facebook pages have multiple admins whom hackers target. Access to one of the admin’s access details means that the hacker will use the vulnerable admin rights to change the Facebook page settings and deny the rest of the admins’ control over the account. Most Facebook Hacks are through phishing scams, malware attacks, and users’ carelessness.

The following are ten ways in which Facebook users, both business owners and individuals, may prevent Facebook hacks:

1. Scan Your Devices For Viruses And Malware.

Most Facebook hackers adopt the use of redirect viruses and key-loggers to gain access to Facebook accounts. You should ensure you have the latest antivirus software version and scan your device regularly to get rid of the malware programs from your device. Updating antivirus software is critical as the new update comes with recent improvements and security updates. Hackers are very busy exploiting weak patches in every antivirus software; hence it is advisable to update your program immediately there is a new release.

2. Get A Strong Password For The Facebook Account.

Facebook users need to strengthen their Facebook passwords to ensure that hackers can’t guess the passwords. When creating the password, use a mixture of capital letters, small letters, symbols, and numeric values. However, avoid using obvious passwords such as your birthdate, as it is easy to guess.

The password created should not be used in another online platform since one site’s vulnerability may make other sites be accessed. Many Facebook users use common passwords in multiple accounts because they are afraid of forgetting the various passwords. However, Facebook users may use password managers such as LastPass and 1Password, to manage their numerous passwords. Password managers are for saving all your passwords in one place where you may retrieve them when you want to use them. Therefore, you wouldn’t struggle to memorize the various passwords you have for your numerous online accounts.

It is also good to change Facebook passwords that have been in use for years. Hackers may have accessed it, and they might be probably waiting for the right time to attack. Facebook passwords should be changed at least twice a year to reduce their vulnerability to hackers.

3. Adopt Two-factor Authentication.

Like the rest of the online sites that have developed the multiple-factor authentication protocol, Facebook has a two-factor authentication procedure. Facebook’s two-factor authentication protocol requires Facebook users to provide their passwords and still input a code sent into their phone number or email address. Therefore, without the password and verification SMS code, unauthorized users can’t access the account. The email and SMS codes expire in 10 minutes; hence hackers can’t use them after expiry.

Facebook users can subscribe to the two-factor authentication through the account’s settings. In the account setting, enter the Security and Login category, and you will find the two-factor authentication sector. Facebook will first verify the phone number and (or) email address before accepting them as your two-factor authentication details. Every time an unauthorized person fails to access the account, Facebook notifies you through your verified email.

4. Always Check Emails Sent To You By Facebook

Facebook usually sends emails to your verified email address every time they sense any possibility of a security breach. Whenever someone logs in or tries to login into your Facebook account from a new place or new device, Facebook alerts you through your email address. The email requires you to respond through a link if you are not trying to access the account on the new place or new device. Immediately you confirm not to have accessed the account, Facebook blocks the access and requires you to change your password and strengthen your account security details. Therefore, you should regularly check the default email address linked with your Facebook account to see any suspicious activities on your account.

Facebook emails also alert you to the latest security recommendations and also familiarizes you with common malware attacks. The information relayed through the emails is vital in keeping your account safe. You can access recent emails through your Facebook Account’s Settings. Go to the Advanced Section and click on Security and Login to view the recent emails.

5. Create Multiple Account Admins

Creating multiple admins for your Facebook page will help you recover the account if you find yourself denied access by a Facebook hacker. The other admins can bring you back on board as they will still retain their access when you are blocked. However, it would be best to choose persons of high integrity and responsibility to run the page.

However, consider reviewing the admins’ roles in your account. Remove people who you no longer trust as admins.

6. Allocate Persons To Their Appropriate Facebook Page Admin Levels.

Facebook admin roles differ, and you should allocate every admin rights depending on how you trust them. Facebook Page admin section allows you to select administrators as the main admin, content editors, content moderators, advertisers, or analysts. The main admins should be highly trusted persons, while less authorized persons, especially employees, may become content editors, moderators, analysts, or advisers.

Remember, only a main admin can add you back to the admin roles or remove you from the role. Hence, you should avoid people who may remove you as an admin and take over the page. Editors, moderators, advertisers, and analysts have limited access and may not bring you back on board but can regulate the content posted on the page in your absence. Therefore, only allow temporary access to employees and assign them to the appropriate level. Then remove them from their role immediately after they complete their task.

7. Reporting Suspicious Activities To Facebook.

You should report unusual activities on your Facebook activities to Facebook Support Desk. Anytime you notice suspicious messages and post in your account, there is a possibility of an account hack, and you should report immediately to Facebook for further action. If you get suspicious messages from unknown persons, block them as they might send you phishing malware.

8. Always Logout From Facebook When Using Shared Computers.

When operating from the cyber, workplace, or public library, you should always log out from your Facebook account to prevent unauthorized access into your account. Also, do not save your Facebook password on the browser you are using on public entities. Suspicious persons may use the computer and access your account. They may either send malicious texts and links or change some of your details to limit your access to your Facebook account.

Since you may not remember the devices with logged-in Facebook account, regularly log out remotely from all logged-in devices. To log out of Facebook remotely from all the logged-in devices, go to the Security and Login Settings in your Account Setting.

9. Refrain From Accepting Facebook Friend Requests From Unknown Persons.

Facebook hackers send friend requests to their potential victims to collect information used in hacking their accounts. Hackers are knowledgeable and may add your mutual friends to persuade you to accept their friend requests. To be on the safe side, avoid friend requests from unknown persons, whether you share a mutual friend or not. Depending on your Facebook settings, friends can access your personal information like birthdates, which may help hackers hack your Facebook account.

Also, in case you notice duplicate friend requests, inform your friends through email or phone calls. It’s also advisable to help your friends secure their accounts from identity theft.

10. Confirm and update your mobile number.

Always ensure that your latest mobile number is the one linked with your Facebook account. In case your account is hacked, you will get a confirmation code through the mobile number. Every time you change your mobile number, don’t forget to change the one on the Facebook account. To add your mobile number to your account, go to General Settings and then Mobile Setting. Then click on the “Add A Phone” button. Input your country and phone number for you to get a confirmation code.

Hackers hack Facebook accounts to get access to page followers, who may be thousands or millions. The Facebook hackers then post their links, some of which are spam links. Some of the information in your Facebook account is enough for identity theft, whereby your other online stores, like online banking and other social media accounts, maybe accessed easily.

How to hack a Facebook account

The best way to stop an attack is to get in the mind of a hacker. Here is the most common way an attacker gets into your Facebook account:

1. Forgetting to sign out on a shared computer or a computer a roommate/family member/spouse can easily access when you are away.
2. Using a Keylogger, a keylogger tracks all of the keystrokes on a keyboard. Which in turn tracks your Facebook password.
3. BruteForce attacks, brute force is a technique that specialized computer software uses for hacking to randomly guess your password from a commonly used word and fraise database. That program can guess your password thousands of
   times a second.
4. Fake Facebook login pages. Sometimes hackers will create a fake Facebook login page to get you to enter your username and password. Hackers do this by sending you an email pretending to be Facebook, requiring your password to be reset from a malicious hacking attempt or unauthorized entry.