In this digital era, social networking has become inevitable. Whether you like it or not, there is no escape. Keeping in touch with family and friends or staying up-to-date about the latest stuff happening around the globe, Facebook has made the world seems much smaller.
I still remember making an account on Facebook, when I was first introduced to this new cool social networking site everyone was talking about. Initially I was a bit reluctant; nonetheless, I couldn’t help but see what all the hype about was. It’s been almost a decade now, and here I am (we are), still hooked!
Interestingly, I thought Facebook will be forgotten just like its predecessors. But it hasn’t and it won’t, which brings us to our privacy and security concerns regarding the world’s biggest social media network. Although FB claims to do its best to provide its users with ‘top-rated security measures’ to help protect them, it is also our responsibility to ensure the security of our social network accounts on our end. If you’re wondering why is it important when Facebook is already doing enough, well, keep reading and you’ll get your answer shortly.
In today’s world, our biggest nightmare is: forgetting the password, not being able to log in or our Facebook or Instagram being hacked. So, what should you do? Below we’ll discuss a few simple tips to help you strengthen your Facebook accounts security.
1. Update Your Password
Want to keep your Facebook login details safe? You must never share your password with anyone or keep a password that is too easy to guess. A weak password is an invitation to hackers. Anyone trying to hack your account can do it effortlessly if your password is easy peasy.
Here’s the thing: To secure your Facebook login, go for alphanumeric passwords. Alphanumeric passwords are numbers and special symbols in combination with alphabets in upper and lower case. But that doesn’t mean you have to make them complicated for yourself to remember.
To change your password: Click the drop-down menu on the top right of your profile > Settings > Security and Login > Change password.
2. Two-Factor Authentication
Popularly known as 2FA, Two Factor Authentication has significantly reduced risks of identity theft on the internet. It makes it less likely for someone to steal your Facebook login and pretend to be you. It is a security method that works by adding an additional layer of security to your account by double verification. With 2FA, in addition to your password, you will also need to enter a code from your phone. This means that even if someone succeeds to get your password, it will be useless unless they also have access to your phone.
To enable Two-Factor Authentication: Log in to Facebook > Select Settings from the drop-down menu on top right > Security and Login > Use two-factor authentication. Once 2FA is enabled, you will have to enter 2FA code after your password, whenever you login on a new device.
3. Unrecognized Login Alerts
For the security of its users, Facebook offers notifications and alerts for login details. If there is some suspicious login activity on your account, like someone trying to log in to your account through a different IP that doesn’t match your current one, you will get an alert. This notification alert can save your account from being hacked and data getting in wrong hands.
To activate login alerts: Click drop-down menu on the top right of your profile > Security and Login > Setting Up Extra Security > get alerts about unrecognized login > Edit. When in Edit, check “Get Notifications” for “Notifications”, “Messenger”, and “Email”, to enable notification alerts.
4. Add Trusted Friends
Above mentioned are all the steps you can take to enhance your account security. However, if you still feel that’s not enough and your account might be at risk of getting hacked, then there is something else you can do as well. Not long ago, Facebook introduced this feature that allows you to add trusted friends from your friends list. These trusted friends can help you in any unfortunate events such as locking out of your own account.
In case your account is hacked, and you fail to log in to your account, the chosen ones will help you to log in to your account and secure your account data and privacy without much trouble.
In order to choose trusted friends: Click the drop-down menu on the top right of your profile > Settings > Security and Login > Setting Up Extra Security > Choose 3 to 5 friends to contact if you get locked out. Clicking “Choose friends” which enable you to add 3-5 trusted people from your network.
5. Disable Access To Applications/Websites
If you are an active user, then you must already know what I’m talking about here. There are countless Facebook applications, and if you use FB, then there is a possibility that you would end up granting access to one of these applications at some point. Even if you are someone who is not at all interested to know when you are going to die or who the love of your life is, you might get tricked into playing one of these games.
Apparently, these applications are not malicious, but they can redirect you to pages that will ask you for some malicious download or installation. This can lead to your system getting infected. So, what can you do about that? Try not to use or give access to any FB application if you are not sure about its authenticity. Simple.
If you have already been tricked into allowing access to many such applications, don’t worry. Go to Facebook “Settings” and click on “Apps and Websites”. There you can see all the apps and websites that have access to your Facebook account; you can choose to disable/remove the apps and sites that you are no longer using or feel suspicious about.
