Take Control of Your Facebook Security

Article reviewed and updated for 2024

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With over 2 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the biggest social media platform in the world. Unfortunately, this also makes it a major target for hackers and scammers. There are many threats to the security of your Facebook account that you should be aware of. Securing your Facebook account is extremely important to protect your personal information, photos, conversations, and your contacts. If your account is compromised, it could be used to spread spam, malware, or stolen content. Hackers can potentially gain access to other accounts connected to your Facebook profile. In this post, we will go over some easy steps you can take to lock down your Facebook profile. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, reviewing login notifications, and more. Taking just a few minutes to implement these Facebook security tips can help safeguard your account from being hacked or misused. 

Use a Strong Password:

When it comes to securing your Facebook account, using a strong password is key - but how do you create one that's not easily guessed? Using password managers, for those comfortable with technology, is a good choice. These handy tools generate unique passwords for every site and, when used properly, can function seamlessly in your everyday life.

If you prefer going the passphrase route, that's fantastic! Just remember that using the same one for every account can be just as risky as using a weak password. 

Finally, we've developed a simple process to write down your passwords that only requires three easy steps:

Step 1: Make a root

Step 2: Pick a special character

Step 3: Write down the account.

To take it a step further, our bonus step 4 suggests randomizing the order of the steps in your password to make it even harder for hackers to crack. With this approach, you can rest assured that your Facebook account, and any other online accounts, will remain more secure.

For more in-depth information, we go over how to write down your passwords and other ways to manage them here:

Enable Two-Factor Authentication 

Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra layer of security beyond just a password. When 2FA is enabled, logging into your Facebook account requires two forms of identification - your password as the first factor, and a secondary one-time code as the second factor.  

The extra step may seem inconvenient, but having 2FA dramatically improves your Facebook account security. It prevents malicious actors from being able to log into your profile even if they manage to phish or hack your password. The peace of mind of knowing your account is secure is well worth taking a few extra seconds to log in. 

Review Login Notifications   

Facebook will notify you any time someone logs into your account from a device or location that it doesn't recognize. Pay close attention to these notifications, as they could indicate someone has gained unauthorized access to your account. 

Closely monitoring login notifications and taking swift action if any seem suspicious is crucial for protecting your Facebook account from hijacking. Don't ignore these warnings - treat them seriously and promptly secure your account if an unknown login is detected. Remaining vigilant against unauthorized access helps keep your profile safe. 

Check Active Sessions 

Facebook allows you to see all of your active sessions - that is, all of the places where you're currently logged into Facebook. This helps you identify any unusual logins that could indicate your account has been compromised.  

To view your active sessions: 

• Go to your Facebook Settings  

• Click "Security and Login" in the left sidebar 

• Scroll down to the "Where You're Logged In" section 

This shows all of the browsers and devices where your Facebook account is currently logged in. Look this over to make sure you recognize all of the active sessions. 

If you see any active sessions you don't recognize, you can log them out immediately by clicking the "Log Out" button next to them. It's also a good idea to change your password after logging out of any suspicious sessions. 

Be extra diligent about monitoring active sessions when: 

• You're using a public computer or a borrowed device 

• You notice suspicious posts or messages from your account 

• You get emails about Facebook login attempts you don't recognize 

Routinely checking your active sessions gives you visibility into who is accessing your account, allowing you to quickly secure your account if needed. 

Use Login Approvals 

Facebook's login approval feature provides an extra layer of security by requiring your approval when logging in from new devices. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your account, even if they have your password.  

The login approval feature provides important extra protection against unauthorized access to your account. Since the hacker won't have access to your authentication codes even if they obtain your password, they won't be able to log in. This security barrier makes it much more difficult for accounts to be compromised. 

Be Wary of Third-Party Apps 

Facebook allows third-party apps and websites to integrate with your account. This can be convenient but also poses risks. 

When you connect an app or site to your Facebook account, you grant it permissions to access your profile information, post on your behalf, read your newsfeed, and more. The more permissions you give an app, the more data it can collect from your account. 

Unfortunately, some third-party apps misuse data they collect from Facebook users. The Facebook– Cambridge Analytica data scandal revealed how loosely Facebook had been sharing user data with developers. 

To protect your account: 

• Review connected apps and remove any you no longer use. Go to Settings > Apps and Websites to see which apps you've given account access to. Remove any unfamiliar or unused apps. 

• Be stingy with permissions. When first connecting a new app, select only the permissions needed for core functionality, not blanket access. Revisit your app permissions periodically and tighten them.   

• Beware of sketchy apps. Stick to connecting only well-known, reputable apps. Avoid apps that request unnecessary data access. 

• Consider app alternatives. For many common functions like managing Pages or scheduling posts, you can use Facebook's own tools rather than third-party apps. 

Limiting app permissions reduces the avenues for your personal data to be misused. Periodically pruning unnecessary apps improves account security. 

Use Facebook's Security Checkup  

Facebook provides a handy security checkup tool that reviews your account's key security settings and flags any vulnerabilities. This tool is important to use periodically to audit your Facebook security and ensure you haven't overlooked anything. 

The security checkup walks through the following settings: 

• Login alerts - Enable login notifications so Facebook alerts you whenever your account is accessed from a new device or browser. This helps detect unauthorized access. 

• Login approvals - Require a second step of identity verification when logging in, such as approving a login request via text message. This adds an extra layer of protection. 

• Trusted contacts - Designate 3-5 friends who can help if you get locked out of your account. They can request a security code to unlock your account. 

• Ad preferences - Review the categories Facebook uses to show you ads. You can remove sensitive interests.  

• Face recognition - Manage which photos Facebook uses for facial recognition. Disable this feature for stronger privacy. 

• App permissions - Audit which third-party apps have access to your profile and data. Revoke access to any suspicious or unused apps. 

• Public posts - Double check your profile's privacy settings for who can see your posts. Set to Your Friends if needed. 

Running the security checkup every few months is wise to verify that your settings are locked down according to your preferences. Be sure to action any suggestions that come up during the checkup. Taking a few minutes for periodic checkups can help secure your Facebook presence. 

Conclusion 

This guide provided practical tips to help you securely lock down your Facebook account and protect your identity. We covered the importance of using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly reviewing login notifications to spot unauthorized activity. Watching out for third-party apps and phishing scams are also critical to avoiding account breaches. Periodically using Facebook's own security checkup tool can identify settings that need to be adjusted and vulnerabilities to be aware of.   

Facebook offers additional resources and guides to help you further enhance your account security and online privacy. Be sure to visit Facebook's Security and Privacy Basics page for more tips. Ultimately, taking a proactive approach by implementing strong passwords, authentication, heightened awareness, and diligent monitoring will go a long way in protecting your account from hackers and unwanted infiltration. We hope these best practices provide greater peace of mind as you continue connecting through the world's largest social network. 

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