Tips on how to stop Fb hacks
If you're like most business owners, you've invested resources in creating a Facebook business page that engages your customers. You may have spent years growing your following and building trust.
What if something leaves your business page vulnerable to a Facebook hack?
Here's what you need to know to protect yourself and your business from a Facebook hack.
How often do Facebook hacks occur?
Unfortunately, Facebook hacks are widespread. Up to 160,000 Facebook accounts are compromised every day, according to the New York Post. Users tend to be more relaxed about using social sites like Facebook, which makes them vulnerable to hackers.
How does this affect your business page? Facebook allows users to access business accounts through their personal profiles. Anyone with admin control of your page is vulnerable to a Facebook hack that could leave your page open to hacking.
Hackers typically gain access to Facebook Pages through phishing scams, email attachments containing malware, data breach revealing passwords, or user carelessness (such as logging out of Facebook or using easy-to-guess passwords) .
Large-scale data breaches are less likely to occur, but the scale can fluctuate. For example, in a widespread Facebook hack and data breach, hackers gained access to nearly 50 million exposed accounts.
What Are Hackers Doing With Your Facebook Business Page?
You are likely to invest a lot of time and money building the best Facebook business page and growing your audience with loyal followers. Your audience is tempting to hackers too.
Hackers who gain access to your page can post their own links and trick your fans into clicking on spam links. This also makes them vulnerable to Facebook hacking.
You can create and approve ads through your ad manager to promote harmful content. Spending a lot can cost you thousands before you can take action.
You can also use the information stored in your Facebook account for identity theft or to access other online accounts, including hosting, banking, or other social accounts.
All of this can cost you time, money, and your audience's confidence. While you can stop malicious activity relatively quickly and even amortize some costs, you can lose access to your page for some time. The opportunity cost of not being able to market through this platform can have a significant impact on your business.
9 Strategies to protect yourself from a Facebook hack
Many strategies to protect yourself from a Facebook hack are standard online security steps that you should follow on any online platform. If you haven't paid much attention to online security, start with the basics and examine the security features in each platform or app.
Tip: If you've been using the same password on multiple platforms for years, an update is long overdue.
1. Make the most of Facebook's security settings
A look at your Facebook settings will take you to a detailed section called Security and Sign-in. Each section has tips and information on best practices to keep your account safe.
Check your computer for malware and viruses regularly. Antivirus software helps identify problems that you may be leaving open to Facebook hacks, such as: B. Keyloggers or redirect viruses.
Keep your software up to date. This will ensure that you are using the most secure versions of your browser and other apps, including any latest security updates or enhancements.
Remember, your Company Page is only as secure as the people who have access to it. Protect your personal profile and share security updates and best practices with your team.
2. Create a strong password
Passwords are the first line of defense in online security.
Your password should follow the guidelines on every site you use. This is likely a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Pick something unique, using a tricky combination of these characters, to create a password that is hard for others to guess.
Do not use the same password on every site. Instead, use different passwords for each online account. For example, you can use one for your secure financial accounts, but a completely different password for your social accounts and other platforms that can be easily hacked.
In the event of a Facebook hack, you will at least be protected from hackers with your Facebook password to access more secure accounts like bank or retirement accounts.
Consider a password manager like LastPass or 1password so you don't have to memorize dozens of passwords. These platforms store all of your passwords in one place so you only have to remember one password. You can also generate random passwords which are more secure.
Make sure that you only enter your password in the Facebook app or on Facebook in your web browser.
If you're using your internet browser, carefully type the domain into your search bar. Hackers sometimes spoof domains near the real Facebook domain to capture credentials from users who don't pay attention.
3. Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication simply means that the platform will automatically ask you for your password and require an additional security check if you ever log into your Facebook account from a new device. This step usually involves entering a security code, which is sent via text or email to a pre-approved address or number.
To set up two-factor authentication on Facebook, visit the Settings page, select Security and Sign-in, and edit the Two-Factor Authentication section.
Facebook asks you to provide contact information to verify your identity when you log in. You will also receive notifications when someone tries to access your account from an unknown device.
4th Read emails Facebook sends out
Facebook often sends emails to review suspicious or unusual activity. Make sure the email address on record is one that you check regularly and read the emails you receive in case Facebook tries to report any suspicious activity.
By keeping up to date with the risks, familiar with common phishing attempts, and understanding the latest security recommendations from Facebook, you can greatly improve your security online.
You can find a list of the most recently sent email messages from Facebook in your account settings under Security and login in the Advanced section.
5. Have multiple administrators for the account
How else can you protect yourself from a Facebook hack? Think carefully about who you are giving the administrator access to your Company Page.
It's a good idea to have more than one administrator on your site in case you ever lose access or cannot log in. If your profile is hacked, another admin you trust can keep the site up and help you regain your access.
But that doesn't mean that more is better. Check regularly to see if you want to remove people who no longer need access to your page. If someone needs temporary access, grant them at the appropriate level and remove them when their task or project is complete.
6th Use the correct page administration levels
Facebook offers multiple levels of page administration that allow you to give different levels of access to different people. Be careful who you add, and only give them access that they need to perform their assigned tasks.
Maybe you need a staff member to post on the page to do your Facebook marketing. Review the different levels and their permissions and only give administrators the level of access they need to perform the task.
If you give anyone you add as an administrator the ability to remove and add other administrators, they may be able to remove you – without your having to access them. You can also add administrators you don't know and take over your side.
Only people you absolutely trust should be able to remove and add administrators. This diagram shows the permissions for each level:
7th Report unusual activity on Facebook
Report unusual activity on Facebook to protect your account. You can report messages, profiles or posts directly on Facebook to let them know that you have a concern about something you see on the platform.
Reporting can help you use Facebook more safely and report suspicious behavior on Facebook.
If you're uncomfortable with someone else's behavior or messages, just block them to make sure they're removed from your friend's list or page. This action also prevents them from notifying you on the platform.
8th. After using shared computers, sign out of Facebook
Have you ever used a computer at work, in the library, or in a coworking space? You need to be extra careful to sign out when you're done. This step is important when using accounts that contain personal information.
If you're using Facebook from a computer you don't own, always sign out immediately afterwards. You have no idea who is allowed to use the device after you. If you stay signed in, your account will remain open.
If you can't remember whether you signed out after using Facebook on a device you don't own, change your password right away so your security is never compromised. You can also log out of all devices remotely in the security and login settings. By protecting access to your accounts, a Facebook hack can be prevented in the first place.
9. Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know
Often, hackers can get information they need to guess your password by adding you as a friend on Facebook. You can even add mutual friends so that they look like a safe person already on your network. Or they are impersonating someone you know.
If you don't know someone, don't accept their friend request. If the request appears suspicious or duplicate, text or email your friend to let them know that someone is using their likeness or identity online.
If you allow access to your personal profile, you can access information like your birthday or high school. This information makes it easier for you to hack into your business account or impersonate you to gain access to other social accounts, your friends, or even your audience.
Conclusion
Preventing Facebook hacks on your business page takes more than posting great content and creating Facebook ads. There are real security risks that you need to consider in order to protect your investment and your customers. Fortunately, a few simple steps can help keep you safe.
Stay up to date on the security functions of every platform you use and protect your personal Facebook profile and your company page. Use alerts, emails, and other notifications to act quickly in the event a Facebook hack occurs.
These steps reduce your risk, so you can grow your audience and connect with your customers without incurring expensive and stressful setbacks. If this seems overwhelming, reach out to us for help so you can focus on running your business.
What steps can you take today to prevent a Facebook hack on your company page?