Facebook is one of the most widely used social networks, and unfortunately, that also makes it an easy target for hackers. If you suspect someone has tampered with your account, do not worry, you are not alone.
Today, hackers are always on the prowl, looking for any opportunity to sneak in and ruin your day. Luckily, here we will show you how to find out if your Facebook account has been hacked and, most importantly, how to recover it.
How to find out if your Facebook account has been hacked
Several clues may indicate that someone has broken into your account. You may not notice them at first, but they are easy to spot if you look for them. Here are the most common ones:
Posts you didn't make
Posts you have never published
If you see photos, texts, or links you do not remember posting, this is a clear sign that someone is tampering with your Facebook account. Hackers often take every opportunity to post inappropriate and offensive content.
Usually, when this happens, you are the last to know or, more likely, find out thanks to a friend or family member who alerts you of what's happening. Those warnings often move you to act because the hacker will likely continue to roam free on your account if you don't notice their presence.
Messages you have not sent
Another way to know if your Facebook account has been hacked is to check the messages sent to your friends that you didn't write. Yes, just as you read. Hackers can also use your account to send direct messages, usually to spread malicious links or invitations to other sites.
In the worst-case scenario, they impersonate you to scam your friends and family. Moreover, if someone falls for it, the consequences can be even worse, as they could expose their personal information or even fall for bigger scams.
Changed contact information
Email and phone number changed
If an intruder gains access to your account, they will first try to change your contact information, such as your phone number or email address. This gives them even more control over your account, as they can recover it if you disable it or change the password.
If this is the case, the best thing to do is try to regain access immediately using the security options in Facebook's settings and change all contact information to yours. You should also check connected devices and log off all of them to prevent further logins.
Unknown logins
This is another sign you cannot miss. If Facebook alerts you that someone is logged in from a device or location you do not recognize, you should take action immediately. Hackers often log in from other mobiles or computers to control your account without your knowledge.
The worst part is that these logins can stay active for quite a while, giving intruders plenty of time to enter your account and do whatever they want without your knowledge. So, if you see something strange, act before it is too late.
What to do if you think your Facebook account has been hacked
Now that you know how to find out if your Facebook account has been hacked, it is time to take action to fix it. Do not panic, there are several ways to regain control and protect yourself so this does not happen again.
Change your password immediately
This is the first step if you suspect your account has been compromised. In this case, use a strong password that combines letters, numbers, and symbols. To change your password, follow these steps:
- Log in to Facebook from your smartphone.
- Go to your user profile.
- Click on the menu in the upper right corner.
- Go to “Privacy shortcuts”.
- Select “Change your password”.
- Enter the current password.
- Type a new password.
- Confirm the new password.
- Tap on “Save changes”.
Change your password immediately
Enable two-step authentication
Two-step authentication is an extra layer of security that can prevent intruders from accessing your account. It is free and gives you much more protection. These are the steps to follow to enable it:
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap the menu icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Go to “Settings”.
- Tap on “Account Center”.
- Select “Password and security”.
- Tap on “Two-Step Authentication”.
- Choose your Facebook account.
- You will receive a code in your WhatsApp account.
- Enter the code in the indicated area.
- Tap “Continue” to finish the configuration.
Enable two-factor authentication
Log out from all devices
Another thing you should do is log out of all devices. This way, you ensure that the hacker stays out of your account while you recover it. Here we tell you how to do this in a few steps:
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap the menu in the upper right corner.
- Select the gear icon to go to “Settings”.
- Go to “More information on the Account Center”.
- Tap on "Privacy and security".
- Tap on “Where you are logged in”.
- Choose your Facebook account if you have several linked accounts.
- Tap on “Select devices to log out”.
- Check the “Select all” option.
- Tap the “Logout” button.
Sign out on all of your devices
How to recover your Facebook account if it has been hacked
If you follow all these steps and still cannot recover your account or there is no way to log in, do not despair. You can report this as a case of phishing or ask for help from Facebook support by following these steps:
- Go to the Facebook Helpdesk from your smartphone.
- Look for the “Login and Password” section.
- Tap on “Troubleshoot a login problem”.
- Open the “Recover your Facebook account if you cannot log in” section.
- It will usually prompt you to log in to www.facebook.com/hacked from another device you previously used to log in to Facebook.
- Then, check the “My account is compromised” option and follow the instructions to solve the problem.
How to recover your Facebook account if it has been hacked
As you can see, the steps to recover your Facebook account are not that difficult, but they require patience and attention to detail. If the hack is too big and access to your account is still blocked, do not hesitate to contact technical support.
