Several times a month I learn that one of my friends on Facebook has been hacked.
Here are some simple practices that will help to prevent that from happening.
#1 – Enable HTTPS
When you bookmark the URL for Facebook or any of your other social networks, be sure to use HTTPS instead of HTTP. This encrypts your communications.
In fact, you will have to temporarily disable this feature any time you give access to a new application. That alone should give you confidence that you have achieved a greater level of protection.
#2 – Disable Online Chat
All of us have witnessed Facebook scams, with the most common being the infamous chat message … “I’m in the UK and have been mugged – please send money so I can get back home.”
While I have no technical basis for this, it stands to reason that the hackers get in through the chat service. Every time I have noticed bogus comments allegedly made by me to my Facebook friends, it is because I had previously used the online chat.
To disable chat just click on the little wheel in the right sidebar and take yourself offline. Then close the window and make sure is registers as chat offline.
#3 – Review Permissions Granted to Third Party Apps
When you grant access to Facebook apps, those permissions endure long after you stop using them. Go to this link to review your Facebook app permissions – and disable any you are no longer using.
You will probably be surprised at the long list permissions your have previously granted!
#4 – Activate Text Message Notifications
Facebook allows you to receive text notifications whenever your account is accessed from a device other than your primary computer or mobile device.
You simply go to Account Settings and then to Security Settings to set-up the proper notifications to your mobile device.
First go to login approvals – then login notifications.
You can only choose email or text notifications. By choosing text notifications you not only get an immediate notice, but you also activate both your mobile device and your primary computer as approved access points.
#5 – Maintain Public and Private Email Addresses
The email address you use for Facebook should be distinct from the one you use where security is more critical – such as your online banking or Paypal account.
If your Facebook account gets hacked its embarrassing. If that is the same email used on your more secure accounts, now that vulnerability could be costly.
Obviously, if you are selective with your email addresses and periodically change your passwords, you minimize your chances of being hacked.
Did you know that anyone can search Facebook for an email address? For example, if you are looking a common name such as John Smith, you only need to search with their email to find the right one.
This is handy for finding your friends on Facebook, but also useful for hackers. The safe bet is to use distinct passwords for your public and private email addresses.
There are even more ways to protect your Facebook and other online accounts, but these 5 are the most essential, and they are specific to Facebook, which seems to be the site that is the most vulnerable.
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Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions.
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Until tomorrow, Jeff
Photo Credit: ratterrell
nice fill
nice made
Thanks for the tip to close apps no longer used.
You’re welcome Jan – that’s a key activity. Maybe put it on your calendar for every 6 mos or so.
thanks
Nyc..
i m not able to continue my facebook except 30 seconds. from shazia awan
i can not contact my face book friends please help me in seeking my face book chat.thanks
This is wonderful, never thought of this before. I use to believe that once I browse using secure url, I am fully covered. The notification stuff is handy and preventive.
Moses – You really have to be diligent about anything regarding Facebook – as the rules seem to never stop changing.
Respected Jeff,
I’m suffering from an error which generates on enabling the “Login Approvals”, that error is:
“PLEASE CHECK YOUR BROWSER SETTINGS
Your current Chrome settings might make it hard to use Login Approvals.
It’s probably because:
You sometimes clear your cookies.
Your browser is set to automatically clear cookies whenever it closes.
You use your browser’s “private browsing” or “incognito” mode.
It may take a few days after fixing these issues before you will be able to enable Login Approvals. You also may need to log out and then log in again after fixing these settings for the changes to take effect.”
PLEASE HELP ME OUT, I’M SO ANXIOUS FOR MY ACCOUNT’S SECURITY.
Does ‘login Approval’ and receiving texts from facebook cost money?
sir please tell me that how to save our gmail account
Please Save my account from Hackers
Dear
I have found out that google search is allowing anyone access to my facebook accounts. If you search a name of a person google will open that persons facebook account once you click the name,so by this anyone can access any Gmail account user and can write anything on the wall thereof.
I am so concerned about this please rectify this quickly.
plise if you can help me
w0w tiz is a simple way to protect my facebook..thanl kiu a l0t..
give me advice for secure facebook id.
why my facebook account always hack by the hackers?
yesterday a successful getting back my facebook account but when i log in right now it say you change your password today at 8am.. but i didnt change it.. i follow your instruction but it didn’t work…. help me please..
Thank you for the insights. Hacking has become more and more rampant and Facebook is a huge target since millions use it every day.
Gerrid – You are welcome. It amazes me how this post continues to be relevant. Pleased to learn you found it useful. Cheers, Jeff
thanks…