How do I recover a hacked Facebook account?
In a nutshell: If your Facebook account gets hacked, there are several steps you can take to recover it and prevent future hacks. First, try recovering your account on the Find Your Account page by submitting your email or phone number. If you can't find your account, try variations of your name or enter the name of a friend. Contact Facebook's customer support team if someone accesses your account without your consent. Reset your password to log out hackers and enable two-factor authentication for added security. Lastly, remove unauthorized apps and be vigilant for suspicious behavior.
Introduction
Many individuals share and connect with their friends online through Facebook. Sometimes, hackers may gain access to these social networking accounts with various motives. If your account gets hacked, you may notice that new friend requests have been sent to people you don’t know, or there are sent messages that you didn’t write. If your account gets hacked, there are various steps to take to recover your account. Following these steps accurately will ensure that you regain access to your account and prevent potential hacks in the future:
Access the Find Your Account Page
If you can’t log in to your Facebook account, try recovering it first. Google the find your Facebook account page on your computer or mobile device. A new page opens where you must submit an email or phone number linked to your account. Enter the correct email address and click “Search.”
Try Variations of Your Name
If you can’t find your account on the Find Your Account page, try entering the nickname you used while registering. If you have a username, it becomes your personalized Facebook URL, and you can use it to try and find your account. The next step may require you to enter the name of one of your friends to make the search easier. Enter their full names, and try a variety of friends if the search for your account isn’t quite productive.
Contact Customer Support
Your Facebook account represents you as an individual; no one else should have access to it. If your account gets accessed by someone without your consent, contact Facebook’s customer support team as soon as possible. Review your account activity to identify actions that you did not initiate, such as posts and account setting changes, to report to the customer support representative as evidence.
Reset Your Password
Logging into your Facebook account requires your password, and if the hacker knows your password, it’s time to change it. Browse Facebook’s login page and click “Forgot Password” in the login section. A new page loads, where you must provide your Facebook account’s email address. You'll receive an email with a link for creating a new password. Create a strong password that’s easy to remember but can’t be guessed. A new password will log the other individuals out of your account and, hopefully, the hacker.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Facebook allows you to secure your account with an added security layer requiring verification, even if the individual logging in knows your password. You can choose whether to receive a verification code via an authenticator app or text. Ensure the mobile number that you provide is active and accessible to you when you want to log into your Facebook account.
Remove Unauthorized Apps
If you have downloaded a third-party application on your device, check whether it has access to your Facebook account. Hackers can grant access to such applications and use them to compromise your account. If these apps can access your account, revoke the permission and uninstall them.
Conclusion
If you share your password in multiple accounts, it’s good practice to change them. Most hackers use stolen credentials to attempt to access various accounts. If you constantly surf online, be careful when sharing your information and clicking links. Stay vigilant after you recover your hacked Facebook account and report any suspicious behavior.
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