How to secure your Facebook accounts

The hacking of Facebook accounts is no longer new, but it’s still ongoing and anyone can be a target nowadays. The good news, though, is that Facebook has introduced security features over the years to help you secure your accounts. If you haven’t explored those yet, let us walk you through them.

Before we dive into the features, you’ll need to log into your Facebook account. If you’re in the mobile app, tap on the hamburger icon on the upper right side if you’re on Android, or lower right if you’re on iOS. If you’re on desktop, just click the inverted triangle icon to bring the menu.

Scroll down and tap on Settings & Privacy, tap on Settings, then tap on Password and Security.

From here you’ll see a slew of features that you can take advantage of to secure your account. One of the first things you’ll see is Facebook Protect. It should be ‘On’ as Facebook already activated it for you.

Next is to Check Your Important Security Settings. Tap on it and it will provide you a summary of your Security Checkup.

Check your password

Your password is your first line of defense. If Facebook thinks it’s secure, you will see a green check. But if you feel that someone is trying to access your Facebook account, or you’re using the same password for other online accounts like Netflix or other subscriptions, we highly recommend that you change it right away.

Make sure 2FA methods are enabled

Two-Factor Authentication or 2FA has been around for quite some time now but it is still a highly-recommended layer of security that you need to use. There are two methods for 2FA, one is via SMS using your registered mobile number or using an authentication app like Google Authenticator.

If you’re using the SMS method, make sure that the number is still active and you’re the one who’s using it. If you change SIM cards, make sure to change this one as well.

If you’re using Authentication Apps, make sure that your password for those accounts is also updated and secured.

Other methods you can add to this are the use of Recovery Codes and a physical security key like those from Yubico. These are devices work like keys to your door but you insert them into your device’s USB-A or USB-C ports to authenticate logins.

Enable login alerts

One of the problems about being hacked is that you often do not know that it’s happening. In this case, it’s recommended that you turn on login alerts for Facebook and Messenger. Inside this Setting, you can enable those alerts — Facebook will send you a notification alert, while Messenger will send you a message. You also have the option to have Facebook email you when it detects an unrecognized login.

Check the devices where you’re logged in

One way of knowing if someone else has access to your account is to check the devices where your account is logged in. You can check this inside the Password & Security section as well. Under ‘Where you’re logged in,’ tap on ‘See all.’ From here, you’ll see all the devices that have logged in to your Facebook account.

If you see a device you don’t recognize, just tap the triple dots on the right side then log it out. Then revisit the measures mentioned earlier like changing your password and enabling 2FA.

If you want a clean slate, just scroll to the bottom then tap on ‘LOG OUT OF ALL SESSIONS.’ I do this whenever I change passwords or devices just to make sure.

Review authorized logins

Sometimes, Facebook will ask you if you want it to remember the device you logged in to. If you agreed, it won’t ask for a login code the next time you access Facebook from that device. This is convenient if you want to quickly log in to Facebook and bypass the extra security measures. But this is only recommendable if your device is also secured with a password and you’re the only one who’s using it.

Tap on ‘Authorized Logins’ and you will see a list of devices or platforms where you authorized Facebook. You might be surprised to see some devices you no longer recognize from years ago. Make sure to tap the ‘X’ icon on the right to remove it, so that if ever that device attempts to log in to your account, a login code will be required.

And there you go. Remember that these are just Facebook features that you can take advantage of, but to make things more secure, make sure to learn and follow online security basics. That includes:

• Using a strong complex password for each accounts
• Learning about phishing scams so you can avoid them
• Avoiding clicking links sent you via email or messaging apps
• Using 2FA
• Keeping your device’s software up-to-date
• Having an updated anti-virus or internet security software
• Making sure you’re browsing on secure websites with “https” or has a lock icon on the address bar
• Being aware of social engineering so that people won’t trick you into providing your sensitive information such as birth date
• Being careful about what you click when browsing online
• Not leaving your devices unattended and making sure they’re password-locked as well

If you know other tips on how to secure your Facebook account, share them in comments below.