Did someone break into your Facebook account? Check for this red flag
You know by now that details like your Social Security number and banking login are extremely valuable to hackers and scammers. But longtime Komando.com readers also know that your social media information trumps all others.
Cracking your bank account can only net hackers the amount you have available, but your social media logins can open up a whole world of scams. Profiles are often hijacked to spread malware, grifts and even disinformation — giving hackers a steady revenue stream as long as they have access.
Unfortunately, you may not realize someone has taken over your account until it’s too late. That’s why you should be proactive. We’ll show you how to spot any strange devices logged into your Facebook account, along with tips to keep your page secure.
Your account activity is tracked
Every time you log in to a service or account, the activity gets logged in some way. This information can include your device name, IP address or location. You might even get an email when the system detects a new login or login attempt. (This is why it’s so important to set up two-factor authentication, which we’ll get to below.)
Facebook is relatively good at keeping track of what devices access your account and when. You’ll get a notification from the app and an email to any new login alerts, but that’s assuming the alerts are set up correctly — and never go to your spam folder or otherwise get lost.
How to see devices logged in to your account
There’s another way to see if someone else has access to your Facebook account. It just takes a few minutes to check and can give you peace of mind that your account is secure. Or it will give you a heads up that you need to take some steps to protect yourself immediately.
Here’s how to see the devices logged into your Facebook account:
- Sign in to your Facebook account.
- Click on the down arrow in the top right corner.
- Click on Settings & privacy > Settings.
- Finally, click on Security and Login.
You’ll see a section called Where you’re logged in. It shows the two most recent devices and their approximate login locations. When you click on the See More option, the list expands for a broader view.
Carefully go over each entry and look for locations you have never been to or devices you don’t own. Click on the three dots next to a device to select “Not You?” or “Log out.” The first option will give you more details on the device and where it’s located, along with steps to secure your account. The latter option will log that device out.
Facebook is BANNING people who missed an email notice - Did it happen to you?
Your credit card details are always in danger of being stolen by hackers and scammers. But while they can cause a lot of personal damage with it, your social media login information could be more valuable to them.
Of the most valuable online accounts to criminals, a hacked Facebook account can regularly sell on the Dark Web for around $65. An associated Instagram account can easily fetch upwards of $45. So, to protect users from getting hacked, Meta rolled out a function to some users called Facebook Protect.
Did you get a strange notification that you need to protect your Facebook account? It's (probably) real
Social media is a hotbed for scams, and you can never be too careful about pop-ups and advertising. You might have received an email telling you that your account is compromised and you need to verify your details.
The chances are good that it was part of an elaborate phishing scam, but users have noticed another pop-up on Facebook over the last few days. The alert claims that you must activate a new function on the social media platform or risk losing access.