Ways to Check if Your Facebook Account Has Been Hacked

6–8 minutes

Many people are understandably fearful about whether their Facebook account has been hacked by someone else. Often, this fear arises due to threats made by someone else over some dispute. Since you know your friends well, it’s possible to determine what kind of things could happen. However, if you use the right security measures and have the ability to quickly identify whether such a disaster has occurred, you can prevent further damage and avoid extensive harm.

Signs That Someone Else May Have Accessed Your Account

Here are some indicators that your account may have been used improperly by someone else:

• Changes made to your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, or gender.
• Friend requests sent to people you don’t know.
• Messages sent to your friends.
• Seeing statuses and shares that you didn’t post on your profile.
• Notifications about participating in games you don’t play.

To confirm if your account has been hacked, you should check these things immediately and regularly ensure they are set back to their previous state. Additionally, if you learn that such things are happening from someone else's account, it’s your responsibility to inform them right away. Otherwise, receiving amusement from such incidents is unethical.

Check Which Devices Are Logged In

If you have any suspicions, the first thing to do is check which devices are logged into your account and the times they were logged in. Facebook keeps a record of every device that accesses your account, and at any moment, you can view the time, location, type of device, and sometimes even the operating system used. By checking this when you have suspicions, you can dispel doubts or gain a general understanding of who is accessing your account. Generally, if you use your account from the same place and country, Facebook works to restrict access from other countries. Thus, the likelihood of someone from another country accessing your account at the same time is very low.

To view this log if you are using a computer, click on the question mark icon in the top right corner of Facebook, then click on the downward arrow button that appears below it. In the menu that appears, go to Settings, and then click on the Security and Login menu item on the left. You will see a list of devices you are currently logged in from, as well as all previously used devices and their times under the section titled "Where You’re Logged In."

If you are accessing through the phone app, click on the three horizontal lines icon in the top right corner, go to Account Settings at the very bottom, and select Security and Login to follow the above steps.

In this list, you will find an icon that looks like three dots on the right side, which, when clicked, allows you to note that you are not logged in from that device and log out from it. Through the option “Not You?”, you can further confirm your account's security. By clicking on the "Get Started" button on the new screen that appears, Facebook will guide you through several steps to secure your account.

Preventing Future Incidents

It's no use closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. If the little hacks you had hidden in your pocket have already slipped away, there’s nothing to be done. However, if such incidents keep happening, it indicates a significant weakness. Therefore, to prevent such losses from happening again, you must take proactive measures.

Use a Strong Password

Many people use easily discoverable information for their passwords, such as their national ID number, date of birth, or phone number, which makes it very easy for unauthorized individuals to access their accounts. When selecting a password, choose something that is difficult for anyone to guess, include memorable elements, and use a mix of capital and simple letters along with numbers instead of just letters. A good password can be created this way. 

If you forget your password, you can use free services like LastPass.

Lock Your Phone

Most account hacks occur when a phone is left unsecured in various places, allowing others to gain access to it, change your password, and post unwanted things through your account, which can damage your reputation. Therefore, always remember to use a lock on your phone that prevents anyone from easily accessing it.

Maximize the Use of Security Features Provided

Many additional security options are provided at the bottom of the Security and Login page we entered above. Through the “Setting Up Extra Security” section, you can enable notifications that alert you immediately if someone logs in from an unknown device, set up a code sent via SMS instead of just using a password when logging in, and select reliable friends (from three to five) to provide you with a means of bypassing account locks if necessary, all through the respective instructions provided.

Always Log Out After Logging In

If someone else accesses your account from a device without your knowledge, make sure to log out and do not forget to secure your account again. Trusting anyone and providing them with your device could lead to you causing harm to yourself.

Be Extra Cautious with Your Email

Since your Facebook account is primarily linked to your phone number and email address, it is essential to keep it secure. When you forget your Facebook account password, a code is sent to your email for retrieval, so if someone gains unauthorized access to your email, they could access all your other accounts as well.

By being mindful and taking action regarding these matters, you will never have to live in fear of threats from anyone or worry about your account being misused. If you have faced such issues, please don’t share those experiences without thinking and don't act like a thief.

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