How Secure is Facebook?
With almost 2.5 billion monthly active users, as of the fourth quarter of 2019, Facebook is the most visited social network in the world.
Talking about social engagement and activities, Facebook has an enormous amount of user activities every minute. This, however, makes Facebook a target for fraudsters and hackers.
Many users have lost access to their accounts due to hacking. Many, also, have been scammed through accounts impersonating another user. This makes Facebook unsafe especially when some security measures are not put in place.
In this article, I’m going to show you how to secure your account, at least to make it very difficult for hackers to hijack your Facebook profile. More also, after taking these measures, you are going to feel safe with your Facebook account.
The following is a checklist you should use when securing your Facebook account.
HOW TO SECURE YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
- Use a Strong Password
One of the methods hackers use to gain access to users account is password guessing. Some use complex combinations of simple words you probably could have used as password.
For this reason, avoid the use of your date of birth, your name or a sibling’s name, phone numbers, company name and any other guessable words as your password.
When choosing a password, create a combination of upper case, numbers and symbols. This will surely make it difficult for anyone to guess your password rightly.
- Activate Two-factor Authentication
Two-factor Authentications increases the security level of your account. Facebook will ask for a code each time there’s a login attempt from an unrecognised device or browser. The following are different 2FA available on Facebook.
1. Text Message
The authentication code is sent as a text message to the user’s phone number.
2. Recovery Codes
This is a list of codes for when you don’t have your phone with you, e.g. when you’re travelling.
3. Authentication app
You’ll receive a login code via an authentication app. An authentication app is an android/iOS application installed on your phone for confirming a login to your account.
4. Security Key
If you have a Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) security key, you can log in via USB or NFC.
U2F is an open authentication standard that enables internet users to securely access any number of online services with one single security key instantly and with no drivers or client software needed.
- Set up Security Alert
Based on the options provided by Facebook, you can set up a security alert to quickly inform you of unrecognized logins attempts and take action.
You can also choose 3-5 friends to contact if you are locked out. Only friends in this trusted contacts list can send a code and URL from Facebook to help you log back in. - Monitor Where you’re logged in
The feature in the security section of Facebook gives you the list of all devices and places your account was or is currently logged in.
It gives you a detailed analysis of the device, location, time and browser from which your account was accessed.
This, in turn, will allow you to make better decisions on how to secure your account. - Cross Check the Apps that Have Permission to Access Your Facebook Account
When you log in to other websites/apps with our Facebook account, Facebook gives a set of permissions to these websites/apps that enable them to access some features of our Facebook account.
This is not always insecure for some trusted and known websites/apps but it is very important to ensure you restrict access to your account by websites/apps that you are not sure of.
- Never Login your Account on a Friend’s Device
You may at one point or the other find yourselves in a situation whereby we need to login our account on a friend’s device, especially when you lose your own device. This does more harm than good as it may leave your account logged in the device.
This is something you should never do if you want to take the matter of security very seriously.
Finally, securing your account on Facebook calls for constant practice. Although Facebook has to put all these security features in place yet it is your responsibility to also be careful of your activities within the platform.
READ MORE: How to take a screenshot of your computer screen
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