Regain Access: How to Recover a Hacked Facebook Account?
Comprehensive Guide to Regain Control and Secure Your Account
Created: 10th July, 2024 / Reading Time: 5 minutes / Author: Mohit Tiwari
In today's digital age, social media platforms like Facebook have become integral parts of our lives. However, with this increased reliance comes the risk of account breaches. If you find yourself unable to access your Facebook account due to hacking, don't panic. Follow these comprehensive steps to recover your hacked Facebook account and secure it against future attacks.
- Identify the Hack
- Unusual Activity: Check for unusual activity such as posts, messages, or changes to your profile that you didn't make.
- Login Attempts: Review recent login attempts from the account settings to spot any suspicious activity.
- Attempt to Log In
- Reset Password: If you can't log in, click on the "Forgot Password" link on the Facebook login page.
- Use Recovery Options: Enter your email address, phone number, username, or full name to search for your account. Choose a recovery method (email or SMS) to receive a code and reset your password.
- Check Email for Security Alerts
- Security Notifications: Check your email inbox for security alerts from Facebook. These emails often contain a link to secure your account.
- Report the Account as Compromised
- Report Compromised Account: Go to Facebook's Hacked Account page and follow the instructions to report your account as compromised. Facebook will guide you through the recovery process.
- Use Trusted Contacts
- Set Up Trusted Contacts: If you have set up Trusted Contacts, ask them to help you recover your account. They will receive a code from Facebook that you can use to regain access.
- Access Trusted Contacts: Go to the Facebook login page, click on "Forgot Password," and follow the steps until you reach the Trusted Contacts option. Enter the names of your Trusted Contacts to get the recovery codes.
- Verify Your Identity
- Submit ID Proof: If other methods fail, you can verify your identity by submitting a government-issued ID through the Facebook Help Center . This helps Facebook confirm that you are the rightful owner of the account.
- Review Account Settings
- Change Passwords: Once you regain access, immediately change your password to a strong, unique one.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
- Review Authorized Logins: Check and remove any unfamiliar devices from the list of devices authorized to access your account.
- Update Security Information: Ensure your email address and phone number are up-to-date and add an additional email address for backup.
- Secure Your Email Account
- Email Security: If your Facebook account was hacked through your email, secure your email account by changing the password and enabling two-factor authentication.
- Avoid Phishing Scams
- Be Cautious: Be wary of phishing attempts. Do not click on suspicious links or provide your login information on untrusted websites.
- Notify Friends and Family
- Inform Contacts: Inform your friends and family about the hack so they are aware of any unusual messages or activity from your account.
By following these steps, you can recover your hacked Facebook account and secure it against future attacks. Stay vigilant and proactive in maintaining your online security. Remember, prevention is better than cure, so regularly update your passwords and enable security features to protect your digital identity.