In today’s world, social media accounts are used not only to stay connected but also to promote businesses. They hold a significant amount of personal information, which makes them prime targets for hackers. This guide on how to recover a hacked Facebook account provides step-by-step instructions if you discover your account has been compromised. Although it may seem challenging, following these steps will help you regain control effectively. If you have lost access to your LinkedIn account then this guide should help: How to recover your LinkedIn account
Overview of Recovery Steps
- Identify Signs of a Hack: Monitor your inbox and text messages for unexpected password reset requests or changes to your profile information.
- Check Logins on Unrecognised Devices: Verify if you are still logged in on any unexpected devices. Log out of any devices you no longer have access to or don’t recognise.
- Use Facebook’s Recovery Tools: Visit Facebook’s account recovery page to regain access.
- Secure Your Account: Change your password and set up two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Clean Up Changes Made by the Hacker: Remove unauthorized changes, such as unknown friends or group memberships.
Signs Your Account May Be Compromised
Be vigilant and recognize the warning signs that your Facebook account may have been hacked:
- Unexpected Notifications: Receiving unexpected notifications is a red flag that your account may have been compromised.
- Unrequested Password Reset Codes: If you receive a password reset code that you didn’t request, change your password immediately and set up two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Profile Changes: Look out for unexpected changes to your profile, such as a new profile picture or updated information.
- Unauthorized Posts: Posts on your profile or any pages you manage that you did not create indicate possible unauthorized access.
Step 1: Attempt to Log In and Check All Devices
If you suspect that your account has been compromised, the first step is to try logging in. If your email or password has been changed and you can’t access your account, act quickly. Check all the devices on which you have previously used Facebook, such as your laptop, phone, tablet, or work computer. If you are still logged in on any of them, change your password immediately and set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
Step 2: Use Facebook’s Recovery Tools
If you are unable to log in, visit facebook.com/hacked. This tool is specifically designed for account recovery. It will show you the email addresses and phone numbers currently linked to your account. If you recognize any of these, request a password reset code. If your Instagram account has been hacked you can go to instagram.com/hacked.
Meta has implemented a feature to prevent hackers from deleting your contact information when using unfamiliar devices. This is designed to protect legitimate users from losing access to their accounts, ensuring that you can still recover your account.
If a password reset code doesn’t arrive, try requesting it from another device.
Step 3: Securing the Account
Once you’ve regained access, immediately change your password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Then, go to the Accounts Center and review where your account is logged in. Log out of any devices that you do not recognize.
Step 4: Cleaning Up the Account
After regaining control of your account, it’s important to remove any traces of the hacker:
- Delete Unauthorised Information: Remove any unfamiliar phone numbers or email addresses associated with your account.
- Add an Additional Email Address: Adding an extra email address, ideally one that is secure and different from your current primary email, will improve your recovery options if your account is ever compromised again. Using a different email adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for hackers to compromise both email accounts simultaneously.
- Remove Suspicious Messages: Review and delete any messages in Messenger that appear to have been sent by the hacker.
- Leave Unknown Groups: Check your Facebook group memberships and leave any groups that you do not recognize.
- Remove Unrecognized Apps and Websites: Go to Settings, then “Your Activity,” and review the connected apps and websites. Remove any unfamiliar apps or websites.
- Remove Unknown Friends and Followers: Go through your friends’ and followers’ lists and remove or block anyone you don’t recognize.
Tips for Preventing Future Hacks
Run Facebook’s Privacy Checkup Tool: This tool helps guide you through privacy and security settings. Go to www.facebook.com/privacy/checkup.
To prevent future hacks, take proactive measures to enhance your account security.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Set up 2FA to require a second layer of verification beyond just your password. This makes it significantly harder for hackers to gain access.
- Set a Strong Password: Use a complex password that includes letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using common words or easily guessed information.
- Be Cautious with Suspicious Emails or Messages: Many hacks begin with phishing. Never click on links from senders you don’t fully trust.
- Add Trusted Contacts: Facebook allows you to set up trusted contacts who can assist in the account recovery process. This can be an invaluable safety net.
- Regularly Review Account Activity: Check your login activity every few weeks to identify any unfamiliar devices or locations.
Final Thoughts
If you notice anything unusual – such as an unexpected notification, an unrecognized login attempt, or changes to your profile – take immediate action. The faster you respond, the easier it is to regain control. But prevention is always better than cure, so take the necessary steps to secure your accounts today.
For a more detailed guide on staying safe on social media, check out my blog post: How to stay safe and secure on social media