How to know when someone is trying to hack your account on Facebook Messenger

 

How to know when someone is trying to hack your account on Facebook Messenger

There are several signs that someone might be trying to hack or compromise your Facebook Messenger account. Here are some indicators to look out for:

1. Unusual Login Notifications

• Login Alerts: Facebook sends login alerts whenever your account is accessed from a new device or location. If you receive such notifications without logging in yourself, it could be a sign of an unauthorized attempt.
• Unfamiliar Locations: Check the device and location details in the notification. If it's not a location you've recently been in, it could indicate a hack.

2. Unrecognized Devices

• Active Sessions: Go to Settings > Security and Login > Where You're Logged In. This will show a list of all devices and locations where your account is currently logged in. If you see unfamiliar devices or locations, it’s a red flag.

3. Messages You Didn’t Send

• If your friends report receiving strange or suspicious messages from you (often containing links or weird content), your account might be compromised.

4. Password Changes or Recovery Attempts

• If you receive emails from Facebook about password recovery attempts that you didn't initiate, it could mean someone is trying to access your account.
• Password Changed: If you're unable to log in or find that your password has been changed without your knowledge, someone may have hacked your account.

5. Strange Activity

• Your account might send friend requests to people you don’t know, like random posts, or interact with content in a way that’s not typical for you.

6. Decreased Access to Account Features

• Sometimes hackers change security settings, such as removing your phone number or email, to lock you out. If you find that your security information has been changed, it could indicate a hack.

7. Sudden Logouts

• If you’re unexpectedly logged out of your Facebook or Messenger app, and you didn’t do it manually, it could be a sign that someone else has logged in.

 

What to Do if You Suspect a Hack

Change Your Password: Changing your Facebook password is a crucial step to protect your account from unauthorized access. Here's how you can do it:

1. Steps to Change Your Facebook Password:

1. Log into Your Facebook Account:
• Open Facebook on your browser or the mobile app, and log in with your current credentials.
2. Go to Settings & Privacy:
• Click the profile icon in the top-right corner on desktop (or the three horizontal lines on mobile).
• Select Settings & Privacy from the drop-down menu, then click Settings.
3. Navigate to Security and Login:
• On the left-hand side (or under settings on mobile), select Security and Login.
4. Find the Password Section:
• Scroll down to the Login section. You’ll see an option labeled Change Password.
5. Enter Your Current and New Passwords:
• You'll be prompted to enter your current password, followed by the new password you wish to set. Make sure your new password is strong and unique.
• Consider using a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
6. Save Changes:
• Click Save Changes. You may also be asked if you want to log out of all devices that are currently logged into your account.
7. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) (optional but recommended):
• After changing your password, it's a good idea to enable 2FA for added security. This requires a second form of verification (like a code sent to your phone) when logging in from a new device.

 

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on Facebook adds an extra layer of security to your account, making it harder for hackers to gain access, even if they have your password. Here’s how to enable 2FA on Facebook

Steps to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on Facebook:

1. Log into Your Facebook Account:
• Open Facebook in your web browser or mobile app, and log in.
2. Go to Settings & Privacy:
• Click the profile icon in the top-right corner of the desktop (or the three horizontal lines on the mobile app).
• From the menu, select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
3. Navigate to Security and Login:
• On the left-hand side (or under settings on mobile), select Security and Login.
4. Find Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
• Scroll down to the Two-Factor Authentication section and click Edit next to Use two-factor authentication.
5. Choose Your 2FA Method: You’ll be prompted to choose one of two main methods:
• Authentication App (like Google Authenticator or Authy): This method is highly secure. You’ll scan a QR code with the app, and it will generate a code every time you log in.
• SMS Text Message: Facebook will send a login code to your phone number. (This is less secure than an authentication app, but still a strong layer of protection.)
6. Set Up 2FA:
• If you choose the Authentication App option, follow the on-screen instructions to scan the QR code with your app.
• If you choose SMS, enter your phone number, and Facebook will send you a confirmation code via text. Enter the code to complete the setup.
7. Review and Save Changes:
• Once your preferred 2FA method is set up, Facebook will prompt you to review the settings and confirm the 2FA setup.
• You can also set up backup options like Recovery Codes in case you lose access to your 2FA device.
8. Log In Securely:
• From now on, whenever you log into Facebook from a new device or browser, you'll need to enter your password and the 2FA code sent to your authentication app or via SMS.

By enabling 2FA, you’re adding a critical layer of security to your Facebook account, making it much more difficult for unauthorized users to access your account.

 

3. Log Out of All Devices: Logging out of all devices on Facebook ensures that any unauthorized users who may have accessed your account are signed out. Here’s how to log out of all devices:

Steps to Log Out of All Devices on Facebook:

1. Log into Your Facebook Account:
• Open Facebook in your web browser or mobile app, and log in with your credentials.
2. Go to Settings & Privacy:
• On the desktop: Click the profile icon (top-right corner).
• On mobile: Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon).
• From the menu, select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
3. Navigate to Security and Login:
• On the left-hand side (or under settings on mobile), click on Security and Login.
4. Check Where You're Logged In:
• In the Where You’re Logged In section, you’ll see a list of devices and locations where your Facebook account is currently active. This section shows active sessions, including the type of device and location.
5. Log Out of All Sessions:
• Scroll to the bottom of the Where You're Logged In list and click Log Out of All Sessions.
• This will sign you out of Facebook on all devices, except the one you're currently using.
6. Confirm Log Out:
• A confirmation prompt may appear. Click Log Out to confirm.
7. Change Your Password (Optional but Recommended):
• After logging out of all devices, it’s a good idea to change your password to ensure that no one else can log in again.

 

4. Check Your Security Settings: Checking your Facebook security settings regularly helps ensure that your account is secure and protected from unauthorized access. Here’s how to review and update your security settings on Facebook:

Steps to Check and Update Your Facebook Security Settings:

1. Log into Your Facebook Account:
• Open Facebook on your browser or the mobile app, and log in.
2. Go to Settings & Privacy:
• On desktop: Click the profile icon in the top-right corner.
• On mobile: Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon).
• Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
3. Navigate to Security and Login:
• On the left-hand side (desktop) or under settings (mobile), click Security and Login.
4. Review Security Settings:
• You’ll see several important sections related to your account's security:

a. Where You’re Logged In

• Check all active sessions (devices and locations where your account is currently logged in).
• If you see any unrecognized devices or locations, click Log Out of All Sessions or log out of specific devices by clicking the three-dot menu next to the session.

b. Change Password

• If your password hasn’t been changed recently, or you suspect your account has been compromised, click Edit next to Change Password and create a new one.

c. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• Check if you have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled. If not, it’s highly recommended to enable it for added security.
• You can also review your current 2FA methods and backup codes.

d. Authorized Logins

• Under Authorized Logins, you can see the list of devices where you don’t have to use 2FA. Remove any devices you no longer recognize or use.

e. Login Alerts

• Make sure login alerts are enabled. This feature sends you notifications or emails whenever your account is logged in from a new device or location.

5. Other Security Settings:
• Get alerts about unrecognized logins: Ensure that Facebook sends you alerts if someone logs into your account from an unfamiliar location or device.
• Choose Trusted Contacts: Select a few trusted friends who can help you recover your account if you ever get locked out.
• App Passwords: You can set up app-specific passwords for apps you’ve connected to Facebook, ensuring they don’t use your main password.
6. Review Linked Devices and Apps:
• Under Apps and Websites (found in Settings > Apps and Websites), review all the apps and websites linked to your Facebook account. Revoke access to any apps or websites you no longer use or trust.

 

5. Report the Incident: If you believe your Facebook account has been hacked or compromised, it’s important to report the incident to Facebook so they can help you secure your account and investigate any unauthorized activity. Here’s how to report a compromised account:

 

Steps to Report a Hacked or Compromised Facebook Account:

1. Visit Facebook’s Account Hacked Page:
• Go to https://www.facebook.com/hacked.
• This page is designed specifically to help you report compromised accounts.
2. Click on "My Account Is Compromised":
• You will be prompted to enter your email address or phone number linked to your Facebook account.
3. Enter Your Account Details:
• Facebook will help locate your account. Enter the email or phone number associated with your account and click Search.
4. Identify Your Account:
• Once Facebook locates your account, it will display your profile. Confirm that it’s the correct account by clicking This is My Account.
5. Enter Your Current or Old Password:
• Facebook will ask you to enter either your current password or one of your older passwords to confirm your identity.
6. Follow the Steps to Secure Your Account:
• Facebook will guide you through a process to secure your account, which may involve resetting your password, logging out of other sessions, and reviewing recent activity.
• Facebook may also provide instructions to remove any unauthorized changes (such as altered email addresses or phone numbers).
7. Review Recent Account Activity:
• After securing your account, you should review your recent activity, including messages sent, posts made, and changes to your account’s settings.
8. Additional Security Measures:
• Change your password: Make sure to update your password to something strong and unique.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Turn on 2FA to provide an extra layer of security.
• Check email and phone number: Ensure that your recovery email and phone number haven’t been changed by the hacker.

7.       Notify Your Friends: If your Facebook account has been compromised, it's important to notify your friends to prevent them from falling victim to potential scams or suspicious activity originating from your account. Here’s how you can notify your friends:

1. Post a Status Update:

• Post a Public Update: Once you've regained control of your account, create a post explaining that your account was hacked.
• Example: "Hey everyone, my account was recently hacked. If you received any strange messages or links from me, please don't click on them. I'm working on securing everything. Sorry for any inconvenience!"
• Make sure to set this post to Public so everyone can see it.

2. Send a Direct Message to Close Friends:

• If the hacker sent suspicious messages or links to specific people, send a direct message to those individuals.
• Example: "Hi, my account was hacked, and I noticed a strange message was sent to you. Please don’t click any links or respond to that message. I’ve secured my account now."

3. Create a Group Message (Optional):

• If the hacker sent messages to many people, consider creating a group message to inform them at once.
• Example: "Hey everyone, I wanted to let you know my account was hacked recently, and some strange messages may have been sent from my profile. Please avoid clicking on any suspicious links. My account is secure now."

4. Warn Against Suspicious Links:

• Tell your friends not to click any links or download attachments that were sent during the time your account was compromised. Hackers often send phishing links or malware.

5. Encourage Friends to Report Suspicious Activity:

• Ask your friends to report any suspicious messages or activity from your account to help Facebook take action quicker if something goes wrong again.

 

Taking these precautions will help you regain control of your account and prevent future hacks.