While hard to pinpoint, it is estimated that over 150,000 Facebook accounts are hacked every day! Not only does this create a security risk for users whose accounts have been compromised, but it can also lead to hackers commenting on their behalf or sending scam messages to their contacts.
If you are one of these unfortunate souls, we are sorry it happened. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you all about how to recover your account in a few minutes. Then, we’ll give you some top tips to keep your account safe and how to improve your online privacy. But first, how do you know if your account has been hacked?
There are some signs that someone has taken over your account without your permission. Here are the main clues to look out for:
- Your details or security settings have changed – this could be your birthday, email address, password, or even your name
- Messages were sent to your friends and contacts, but not written by you
- A post or friend request has been made that you did not make
If any (or all) of these problems occur with your account, you need to resolve them immediately. Aside from the fact that it might leave you with some embarrassing posts explaining that, if your contact gets a message “from you” with a phishing scam was in danger. They won’t be happy if they click on malicious links with viruses or other infections.
How to recover a hacked Facebook account
There are several ways to recover your account. Which method you use will depend on what’s going on. The first is to reset the password (there are two ways, depending on whether it has been changed by someone else). If you can’t (and quickly) do this, you need to let Facebook know that your account has been compromised. Here’s how to do both.
Reset your password
Resetting your password is probably the quickest way. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Sign in to Facebook on the device you use the most (preferably your home Wi-Fi so Facebook recognizes it).
2. Go to Settings from your computer and click Privacy Shortcuts. Or from your mobile app go to Settings and tap Password & Security. From this point on, the process is roughly the same for mobile and desktop.
3. Using your computer, go to the heading “Account Security” and click “Change Password”. Tap “Change Password” on your mobile app.
4. If Facebook recognizes your device, you should be able to select a new password, re-enter it and click “Save Changes” (or “Update Password” on the mobile app).
If your password has been changed by someone else, follow these steps to reset it:
1. On the page that requires a password, click “Forgot your password?”
2. Enter your linked email address and click Search
3. Choose where you want Facebook to send the reset code (phone or email)
4. Enter the code you received and click “Continue” at the bottom
5. Enter your new password and click the little box below because you have been hacked, then click “Continue”
6. Select “Sign out of other devices” and click “Continue”
Report a stolen Facebook account
If for some reason you are unable to change your password within a few minutes, please contact Facebook immediately. Facebook has a dedicated contact page for users whose accounts have been hacked. Go to this page and Facebook will help you log into your account and regain control of it.
Tips for staying safe on Facebook and online
We have some great tips to keep you ahead of those pesky hackers so you don’t have to go through the pain of recovering a hacked Facebook account.
Protect your login and password
Strong passwords are required for every application and account you log into online. To keep you as safe as possible, follow these tips:
- Your password should be 4-6 random words (passphrase) and at least 16 characters will give you the highest level of security
- Never share your login information with anyone
Improve your Facebook security settings
Facebook can also help you strengthen your privacy and security settings. Follow these simple steps:
- Go to “Settings and Privacy“, then “Privacy Shortcuts” and select the first option (in mobile apps and web browsers) to view important privacy settings
- You’ll see the following options, you should double-check each setting to make sure your privacy level matches your expectations
