As time passes, Facebook is acquiring greater popularity. But we all realize that not everything is secure on Facebook. Your information such as pictures, contacts, and information on your profile is prone to hacking as cyber threats intensify with time.

Though Facebook has made its security tighter and more complicated, nothing can stop the twisted minds known as HACKERS to take over people’s accounts. A hacked Facebook account can put you in a state of distress and make your blood run cold as your crucial information is at stake.  

Therefore, here is a complete article regarding how to secure and recover a hacked Facebook account to prevent the misuse of your data. 

Let’s first start with how you can identify a hacked Facebook account. 

Signs of a Hacked Facebook Account

Identifying Facebook accounts can be tricky, but there are few signs that can help you recognize a hacked or compromised Facebook account. 

Sign 1: Your email address or password has been changed

Sign 2: Facebook name or DP has been changed.

Sign 3: Your DOB or personal information is changed.

Sign 4: Your Facebook wall/timeline is loaded with posts that you’ve never posted.

Sign 5: Unknown people in your friend list.

Sign 6: Requests or messages sent to unknown people. 

Sign 7: Facebook has locked your account to secure it. 

Causes: Why The Facebook Hacking Happens

Have you ever thought about why Facebook hacking events are rising as time passes? Well, the reason is something we all are aware of i.e. STEALING; whether it’s your private pictures, financial data, or your chats, the hackers want to misuse your identity and target to satisfy their evil intentions. 

For celebrities, hacking is done to use their fame for illegal promotions. Here are some main reasons for a hacked Facebook account.

1. To pursue vengeance.
2. To find out cheating partners in romantic relationships.
3. Businesses hack accounts when they detect someone misusing their brand name and making a profit out of it.
4. To spread unethical information among your contacts. 

Precautions to Take If You Sense Hacking 

Act Fast: Change Your Facebook Password 

Whenever a person tries to gain access to your account, he/she will first reset your account password, in such a case, you will receive a notification via email or text. For example: 

If you receive any notification stating that your Facebook account password has been reset by users, you need to take fast action. Make sure you change the password and update the key information before anyone else does. If you change the password before the hacker reset your account information, you can secure your data. 

So, to change the Facebook password, go through the steps given below:

1. Open your Facebook account and click on the downward-facing arrow and go to “Settings” 
2. Now, from the settings page, click on “Security and Login”
3. From there, select “Change Password” and select Edit.
4. Follow on-screen instructions and create a new password for your account.

Enable Two Factor Authentication 

After changing the account, the next important step is to enable the “TFA” or “Two Factor Authentication”. Using this feature, no one will be able to access your FB account without your permission and this is the most effective measure to ensure the complete security of your Facebook account.

After you are logged in to Facebook, click on downward-facing from the top-right corner of the screen. Then, click on “Security and login” scroll down to locate “Two-factor authentication”, and click on the “Edit” button. Then, follow the on-screen instructions and then you will receive a notification whenever someone tries to access your Facebook account. 

Let your Contacts Know

This is the must-to-follow measure to take if you sense that your Fb account is hacked. Let all your contacts know that someone else has taken over your account, so that they can report if they notice any suspicious activity from your account, such as spam-like posts, messages containing malicious links, or asking for money from your friends. With your warning, they can refrain from falling into the trap of hackers.

Check for Alternative Email Address 

Hacking can be only overcome if you have the updated alternative methods added to your Facebook account. Having at least one second email added to your account can help you recover your Facebook account in a much easier and smoother manner. If one account is compromised, you can use the alternative email address to get back your account. But make sure that you are using different email addresses for both your accounts. 

How to Recover a Hacked or Compromised Facebook Account 

Hacking is the mission of stealing information, and it is mainly done by changing your account password so that you can’t access your account. But, for recovering your Facebook account, a few simple methods can work for you. Keep reading!

Recover your Facebook Account Password

Step 1: If your password has been changed, you will find the recovery option on the same page that is used to log in to your FB login page. 

Step 2:  Now, click on the “Forgot Password” link from the same page. 

Step 3: Facebook will redirect you to a different page for searching your Facebook account. Type in your mobile number to find your account. 

Step 4: On the next screen, you need to select the recovery methods which are associated with your Facebook account. It could be an alternate email address, recovery mobile number, or Google account.

Step 5: Now you will receive a code on your email or recovery phone number.

Step 6: Copy the code and enter it into the Facebook log-in page and click Continue.

Step 7:  Now, create a new password for your Facebook account and repeat it to confirm. 

There is another way to recover your Facebook password if you don’t have the recovery email available. 

How to Recover FB Password without Recovery Email 

If a hacker has changed the recovery email and you are not able to recover your password using the current recovery email, you can try a different method which is mentioned here underneath:

1. Go to the Facebook login page and click on the “Forgot Password” option.

2. Now, type in your username and email address to let Facebook search your profile.

3. After you have been found on Facebook, click on your profile and open it to reset your password.
4. Click “No longer have access to these” so that FB can find another way around to recover your password.

5. You will be provided with an extended list of recovery options, and it totally depends on how old your Facebook account is. Most of the older accounts have security questions available to recover their FB account.
6. If you are a new Facebook user, you can use the “Trusted Contacts” options to retrieve your account. Your contact will receive a link and get a security code. You need to provide the code to retain your FB account.

Report the Hacked Account to Facebook 

You can directly flag your concern to Facebook by reporting your Hacked account. This can be done through the URL-https://www.facebook.com/hacked. You can access this from any of your browsers and let Facebook support know that someone has accessed your account unauthorizedly by clicking on “My Account Is Compromised” 

On the next screen, you will be required to enter the email or phone number linked to your Facebook account, 

After this, just follow the on-screen instructions to secure your account. 

Then, you will be directed to the account recovery page, where you need to enter your current or old password.

This will open a webpage where you need to select the sign that has encouraged you to report the account, the options will look like this:

Kindly follow their instructions, related to your account. Facebook will then, guide you through the security measures 

You can check all the login sessions and end the ones that are not related to your account, leading to your account recovery. Also, check the login alerts, not initiated by you.

Preventions to Avoid Getting Hacked on Facebook 

Check Permissions Given to Suspicious Apps 

After you are done with recovering and securing your Facebook account, the next important thing is to remove all the suspicious apps that can act as a hazard to your Facebook account. The permissions that you give to yourself make a huge difference. Therefore, make sure all the apps you have given permissions are secure and not exploiting the data stored on your website. 

Sometimes, we add apps to Facebook accidentally but they can steal your account information and thus “apps” sections should be cleared from time to time. So, to delete the suspicious apps, here are steps you need to follow:

• First, go to Settings of your Facebook account from the top-right corner.
• To check the app permissions, go to Apps and Websites:

• From here you can edit the permissions or stop simply by clicking on the Remove button
• Select the app which you need to remove. 
• You can also click Edit Settings and check all the settings for your account. From here, you can change which people can see this app and who can make changes in the apps on your behalf.

• Click Save to implement the changes.

Perform Privacy Checkup 

If you are still worried about the privacy of your account, go to Settings> Privacy> Privacy Shortcuts> Privacy Checkup.

Doing so will open the following page.

Refrain Clicking Everything You See

Hackers play with your mind by tricking you into clicking on luring offers/messages and more. Have you ever witnessed a scenario where someone says “Look what I’ve found?” or “OMG did you see who died?” with a link which triggers you to click and see what it has to say. Even the link will look like a Facebook link, hence you follow it without much thinking, and enter your email and password. Now, hackers have hacked your password.

Check For Changes in Your Activity Log 

Keep track of everything that is taking place on your profile. If you find any unidentified message, post, or purchases, on your Facebook profile, you might have fallen into the trap of hackers. It’s time to buckle up the shoes and tighten the security of your account. 

Conclusion 

You can’t stop hackers from attacking your Facebook account, but you can surely build a protection shield for your account, and recover your accounts from the grip of hackers by following the right recovery measures. If you follow our guide, we ensure you the complete protection and timely recovery of your Facebook account.