My Facebook Account Got Hacked!

It seems like every week I get emails from people who have had their Facebook accounts hacked. And I’m talking about really hacked, not just cloned. These people have lost everything they ever uploaded to Facebook and can’t log back into their accounts. Why? Because the hacker changed their password. If this happens to you, it’s almost impossible to get your account back. There’s no customer service number or email for Facebook. So, what can you do? Here’s how to protect your Facebook account (and everything in it) from hackers.

Facebook Hacking is Real

If you’re on Facebook, there’s a good chance you’ve already been a target of hackers. In fact, compromised accounts make up most security issues. A recent report estimated that almost 300,000 Facebook accounts are hacked every day. Once a hacker is in control of your account, you probably won’t get it back. Ever. So, you’ve got to be proactive in protecting your account.

How to Protect Your Facebook Account

Here are some simple steps you can take to keep your Facebook account safe:

• Turn on 2-factor authentication. This requires a second step to log in to your account on a new device. Even if a hacker gets your username and password, they’ll need access to your phone to confirm it’s really you logging in.
• Use a strong password. Choose a password that you don’t use on any other account.
• Don’t fall for scams. Even if a message or post looks like it’s from a friend, be careful. Things like “Look who died” are common scams. If you click, you’ll be taken to a fake Facebook page that asks for your login information. Don’t do it!
• Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know. And don’t just ignore them, block them. This keeps them from following your posts. Also, if you get a friend request or message from someone you’re already friends with, double-check with them before accepting. It could be a fake account.
• Turn on login alerts. This will send you a notification if someone tries logging into your account on another device or computer.

These steps will help keep your Facebook account secure. But remember, you need to do this before your account is hacked.

What About My Photos and Videos?

Many people store irreplaceable photos, videos, and memories on Facebook. If your account is hacked, you could lose them all. Next time, I’ll share how to keep those uploads safe, even if your account is hacked.

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