In this age of digital era, Facebook, a social media app, has changed the way to connect with our loved ones, share our memories, make new memories, and connect with strangers, but someone hacks your social account as well as your precious memories and your information. Yet you’re clueless as to what to do!
It’s not your fault, these days things are changing rapidly and technology made it possible. But with the rise of technology, many threats are rising too. cyberattack is just a part of that. But if you remain vigilant and take necessary security precautions then you don’t have to worry.
We will tell you all you need to know on ” what to do when your Facebook messenger account is hacked. So, Read on, and don’t stop until you have found your answer!
1. What Happens When Your Facebook Messenger Account Is Hacked?
Some people may argue, or think, what’s a big deal if my account got hacked. I’m no billionaire, I have no important information that may benefit someone. I have nothing to lose. That is where you are mistaken, though! Let me tell you why?
If someone has unauthorized access to your account, then they control your contact details, private messages, and sensitive information.
Or worse, they can use your information for malicious purposes or fraudulent activities. They can make fake accounts with your information and send messages to other phone numbers in your contact list pretending to be you, for ill purposes. If they get caught, then you’ll have to answer the authority. So, You have very much to lose.
I guess, now you have learned what can happen if you take it lightly.
1.1 The First Step
If you want to prevent further damage or identity theft, then the first and most important step would be to Facebook Password reset. it will help you to retake control of your Facebook account. That will prevent the hacker from accessing your Facebook account, stealing your identification, and using it to make fraudulent purchases or engage in illegal deeds.
It is also advised to take extra security measures. For this, use two-factor authentication. By incorporating an additional security measure, you can verify your identity in addition to entering your password.
2. How To Know If Your Facebook Account Is Hacked?
Well, it is a valid question. If you ask people, maybe your Facebook friends too, they may have faced a similar situation when their accounts may have been hacked but they weren’t aware of it. So, What are the indications that my account has been compromised or not, then? These are a few:
2.1 Login
If you want to know, whether your Facebook account was hacked or not, look for any login activity from unknown devices. This way you can check the history of all devices that you’ve logged into your account. if you found an unknown device logged into your Facebook accounts, it may be a data breach. To be on the safe side, change your password, and for better security add two-step verification so no one has access to your account without your permission.
2.2 Unusual Changes
Unusual changes, now you are probably wondering what kind of unusual changes? I haven’t noticed anything unusual. It can be easily overlooked if you ignore it. Now, remember if you have sent or received a new friend request that you haven’t made. There is a change in your cover photo, your name or your security settings, and recovery options. If you found any, then it is most likely to be a sign of a data breach.
The question is what is the benefit of changing these things? These changes are made so that you have no longer access to your account, which means it is your account but someone else is using it for their purpose, It can’t be good, Of Course, so if you find yourself in this situation, report this incident to Facebook in the Help centre.
2.3 Suspicious Messages or Posts
It may be an indication that your account has been hacked if you find that your account has been sending out posts or messages that you haven’t published. Your account is frequently used by hackers to spam your contacts or send them spam messages with them harmful links.
2.4 Inability to Log
If you are login into your Facebook account, it shows the wrong password. Then you forgot your password but still, you get no security pin or OTP on your email or mobile number. Then it is most likely to be your Facebook account was hacked into. The hacked changed the password and your recovery email to make it more difficult to log in.
With the advancement in Technology, where data is the new fuel! cyberthreats are rising too. Facebook has seen many data breaches in past years. So, it is the need of the hour to be aware of these activities and If the situation demands, take action. So, Let’s explore it further!
3.1 Update Security Settings
Change your Facebook password as soon as possible. That will protect the account from the hacker doing more harm. You’ll restore control of your account without any hassles.
To update your security and login settings, log in to your Facebook, go to the account menu. There you will see the option of Settings & Privacy page, click on it then go to the section of Password and Security. Click on the login option then you have to change your current password. Using a strong password that you have never used before is preferable.
3.2 Use Two-Step Authentication
Two-step authentication requires you to enter a code in addition to your password when logging in if there is an attempted login from an unknown device. It is recommended for Facebook users enable two-step verification.
To add an extra security feature of two-step authentication to your existing password, log in to your Facebook, and go to the Facebook Settings & Privacy page. There you will find the option for Password and security, after clicking on it look for the option of two-step authentication. Once you have found it, enable it, it will ask you about the second option you will use to log in along with your password.
3.3 It’s Time to Log Out
Why am I saying about logging out? That is what you are probably thinking right now. well, It is a security precaution that you must take to secure your Facebook messenger account. Now the reason is quite simple, once a hacker gains access to your Facebook account, why would he let it go that easily, he probably has found another way to gain access to your Facebook account. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to log out of all other devices as well. If you log in again, then you have to log in with your password as well as other login option that you have enabled in two-step verification.
3.4 Report To Facebook
In case you are unable to change your password or log out or your Facebook account has been used for some malicious activity. Then it is advisable to contact the Facebook messenger support team.
To contact Facebook’s support team, go to the setting, and click on password and security. Then Click on “If you think your account was hacked ” in Help Center and select the “My account is compromised” option.
The Facebook support team will investigate the situation and assist you throughout the procedure. To quickly take over your Facebook account, try to offer as much information and supporting documentation as you can.
3.5 Make Sure Other Online Accounts Are Safe
It is a possibility that the hacker may now be able to access your other online account using the information they have from your Facebook account. To see that your accounts are safe from the hands of hackers, the first thing you can do is update your password to a strong one. The next thing you should do to make it more a secure account is to add an extra login option. So, if by chance someone tries to log into your account by password, they’ll have to provide the other.
3.6 Your Account Is Hacked!
If your Facebook account was hacked, not only it will affect you but also it can affect everyone in your friend list. They can use your account to send special links which, of course, will be spam links to gain personal information. If it is coming from a known account, then it is likely that they can be victims of this. To prevent this, you can update your friend list and your contacts about your hacked Facebook account. Ask them to report your Facebook account also. This will help Facebook investigate the issue and take necessary actions to secure your account and prevent future hacking incidents.
3.7 Up-To-Date Software
To ensure that you don’t have to face a hacker attack in near future, it’s better to take precautionary measures. So, if you’ve applied all methods above, now you just have to provide a solid defence. To give yourself a fighting chance against these hackers you also have some aids that the security apps and Facebook provide you. They regularly update their apps for such security flaws that can keep users’ data at risk. You have to do nothing, just update your Facebook app and you’re one step ahead.
4. Who Can I Contact About My Facebook Being Hacked?
Now the question arises, where can I report these kinds of incidents? That’s why we are here. To report these kinds of suspicious activity illicit activities, either you can directly go to the Facebook help centre page in Google, or you can log in to your Facebook account, there is a help section in which you will see the option of “my account is compromised”, just click on it and provide the necessary details and you’re good to go.
The Facebook support team will guide how to recover your account, which includes resetting your password or verifying your identity.
It is advisable to report this incident to local law enforcement or the cyber security department as it help you in the future, in case the hacker has used your personal or financial information for fraudulent activities or illegal activities.
5. Can You Recover Your Hacked Facebook Account?
Yes, you can recover and regain access to your hacked Facebook account and also your precious data. With the right approach not only you can recover your lost access but you can make your account more secure.
To do this, Click on “Forgot Password?” Then adhere to the directions to change your password. Make sure to choose a strong, unique password that you haven’t used before.
You must notify Facebook if this solution does not work and you are still unable to log in. Visit Facebook’s Help Center and select the “If you think your account was hacked” option. There you have to submit the related details of your account and the required information. The Facebook support team will look into the matter and take the required steps to protect your account. After the Recovery of your Facebook account, it is advisable to enable two-factor authentication, for better settings security and login of your account.
Having your Facebook messenger account is the worst situation that no one will want to be in. It will make you anxious, and depressed, and why you will not be? Your data is at risk, you have no idea, what other details of yours are at risk. And still, confused about what you should do? To whom you should contact?
In these situations, you have to be calm. you will probably think why it is happening to me, but the truth is, It can happen to anyone. The only thing you can do is to save yourself from these activities if you remain vigilant and take necessary security measures before they happen.
Stay informed and Stay Safe!
Last Updated on by Saket Kumar