If you suspect your Facebook account has been hacked, it’s crucial to take action quickly. This guide will walk you through all the steps to recover your account and strengthen its security to prevent future hacks.
Confirm the Hack
Signs that your Facebook account might be hacked include:
- Your email or password has changed without your permission.
- Your name or birthday has been altered.
- Friends report strange messages or posts from your account.
- There are friend requests or messages sent to people you don’t know.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take action.
Secure Your Linked Email Account
Since Facebook is typically linked to your email account, it’s essential to secure your email first. Here’s how:
- Change your email password to something unique and strong. Avoid using old passwords.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your email to add an extra layer of protection.
- Check your email settings to ensure no unauthorized forwarding rules or recovery emails are in place.
By securing your email, you prevent hackers from resetting your Facebook password via email access.
Use Facebook’s Account Recovery Options
If You Can Still Log In
- Go to the Facebook Hacked Account page and select My Account is Compromised. Facebook will guide you through a series of steps to review and secure your account.
If You’re Locked Out
- Visit the Find Your Account page on Facebook.
- Enter your email address, phone number, or username to locate your account.
- Follow the instructions to reset your password. Facebook will verify your identity to allow access.
Change Your Password
Once you’ve regained control of your account:
- Go to Settings > Security and Login.
- Under Login, select Change password.
- Enter your current password, then create a new, strong password using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Log Out of Unknown Devices
To ensure no unauthorized access continues, log out of any unfamiliar devices:
- In Security and Login, you’ll see a list under Where You’re Logged In.
- End any sessions that you don’t recognize.
This action prevents the hacker from continuing to access your account.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Adding Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds a security layer to your account:
- Go to Security and Login and find Two-Factor Authentication.
- Select Edit and choose your preferred 2FA method (e.g., using an authentication app or SMS).
This step requires an additional verification code when logging in from unrecognized devices.
Review Account Activity
Check for any actions the hacker may have taken:
- Look through your posts, messages, and friend requests for any suspicious activity.
- Delete posts or messages you didn’t send.
- Notify your friends about the hack to prevent them from falling for any scams.
Report the Incident to Facebook
Even after regaining control, it’s a good idea to report the hack to Facebook:
- Go to the Report Compromised Account page to let Facebook know of the incident.
Facebook actively monitors these reports to prevent future hacking attempts.
Strengthen Your Security Measures
Here are a few extra steps to protect your account going forward:
- Regularly update your passwords and avoid using the same password across different sites.
- Be cautious of phishing scams and links sent by unknown contacts.
- Consider using a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords.
Prevent Future Hacks
To further protect your online presence, stay vigilant. Always verify links before clicking, don’t share personal information with unknown contacts, and ensure your devices are secure.
Following these steps not only helps you recover your account but also makes it harder for hackers to access it in the future.