This is short and sweet – 5 steps to keep you safe from Facebook Hacking. If you want more tips, please sign up for our emails.
(Updated from 31 March 2020.)
Chris has been getting a lot of calls recently about hacked Facebook accounts. A lot of the Facebook hacking starts when you click on a video that a “friend” sent you via Facebook Messenger. It is most likely that your friend’s account has already been compromised, and it is the Facebook hacker sending you the video.
If someone else has gotten control of your Facebook account, it is really hard to get it back. So follow these steps before that happens!
What to do:
Here are Chris’ suggestions if your Facebook account has been hacked:
- Change your password.
- Change your security question(s) and answers (in case they were reviewed by someone else).
- Log out of all locations where you are logged in.
- Confirm that your recovery email address and your mobile phone number is still yours and not set to someone else’s.
- Tell your friends not to open any videos or any other links that you have sent.
Doing this will help you keep your account yours after you change your password.
Facebook Hacking via Messenger:
It seems like we are all using social media more now than we did even a month ago. Try not to send any links at all via Facebook Messenger for the time being. If you do get a video (or other links) on Facebook Messenger, don’t click on it right away. Instead, send an email to your friend confirming that they sent the video.
Facebook Hacking Service:
I also did a quick Google search to see what other advice is out there to make your account more secure. Boy, was I surprised when I saw links to a Facebook Hacking Service and an ad to Hire a Facebook Hacker!
Online Security:
Finally, we recommend ESET to keep ALL of your devices safe online.
Other Hints:
- Also, please remember to stay well clear of shortened links unless you know without a doubt where that link will take you. That includes most bit.ly and owl.ly links. Here’s a recent article about short links.
- Likewise, there are a lot of scams out there. Read our article about Covid19 scams.
I’ve created a Free Report to protect you from “phishing” scams. Click here to receive it!
INFORMATION ABOUT GEEK FOR HIRE, INC.
Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past eighteen years. Angie’s List and the BBB rate Geek For Hire very highly. You can find more on our website, or give us a call at 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.
Here’s a link to our Covid19 Policy.
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