How to protect your Facebook account from hackers
Facebook is still the most used social network app today, despite a number of past security concerns. We use our accounts to update our friends and family on our lives, and it’s a great way to keep in touch with those we see less often.
But what happens if you get locked out of your Facebook account? We received this message from one of our readers:
My Facebook account has been recently hacked to the point where I don’t think I can recover it. They changed my password, email, phone number and now the added a 6 digit code if asked for a password reset. I believe Facebook sent me an email saying the account is locked until I could reset it. I haven’t been able to. Any suggestions? – Gordon
We’ll show you the ways to recover a hacked Facebook account, but first, we have the preventative measures you need to take to make sure this never happens to you.
How to stop Facebook hacking
Turn on these security settings to prevent hackers
Trusted Contacts
This is a Facebook setting that is reportedly being turned off in just a few weeks, but at the moment it is still available. You can choose 3-5 trusted contacts from who you can request help if your account is ever hacked.
The contacts you choose will be able to receive a recovery code if you’re locked out of your Facebook account. You can then call or text your chosen friends/family members and get the code, enter it, and regain access to your account.
- Login to your Facebook account
- Go to Settings & Privacy
- On a desktop computer, click the down carrot on the top right of your Facebook page to find Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings and select Security and Login from the lefthand menu
- On a mobile app, tap Menu on the bottom right, then the Settings gear icon on the top right, and tap Password and security
- Scroll down to where it says Choose 3 to 5 friends to contact if you get locked out
- Then select the contacts you trust you can contact for a recovery code
If you find your account may have been hacked or you can’t log in to your Facebook, click Forgot account? on the login page. If you can’t access the phone number or email associated with your account, you can click Reveal my trusted contacts and…