This is really important.
TL;DR (too long; didn’t read)
If you don’t have time to read this whole article, sometime today, please protect your Facebook accounts using Meta’s Privacy Checkup and Security Checkup features.
Why You Need to Secure Your Personal Facebook Account
If your social media accounts are compromised, at best it will be a stressful, time-consuming and expensive fix; at worst, your reputation may be severely damaged and your accounts irretrievable, meaning you need to start again, as if you were a brand new business. That’s not to mention potential financial losses from fraudulent use of your accounts.
Your personal Facebook account, or profile, is effectively the “key” to all your Meta Business Pages, Ad Accounts and any other business assets. It is the primary point of access and control to your business’ social media.
Safeguarding your personal Facebook account is therefore crucial to protecting your business. If your personal account is compromised, hackers and scammers could gain access to, and takeover the control of your business assets.
This could wreak havoc on your reputation, lead to misuse of your sensitive information and expensive credit card bills if they spend up large on your Ad Account.
Rectifying a breach is enormously stressful, time-consuming, expensive and sometimes, irreversible. After a severe breach, it’s not uncommon for people who have spent years meticulously building an online presence with thousands of followers, to have to start over, from scratch.
Please! Keep your personal Facebook profile safe. Protect it with as much care and attention – if not more – that you would give to locking and securing the doors and windows of your own home if a carload of burglars was camped outside, watching, waiting for an opportunity to break-in.
Don’t think you’re exempt. Attacks are not usually targeted at anyone in particular; cyber criminals are opportunists who try anyone and everyone, until they find a way in.
Prevention is definitely far better than cure!
Top Tips to Keep Your Account Secure
Privacy Settings
Regularly use Facebook’s Privacy Checkup to review your settings (available from a desktop only, not on mobile). Adjust your privacy settings, like who can see your phone number, email address, date of birth, and Friends list to “Only Me” or “Friends Only”.
Security Settings
Regularly use Facebook’s Security Checkup to ensure you are using the latest recommended settings.
Use a Strong Password
Make it long, strong, and unique. Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters for added security. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or names. Change it every few months, and never share it with anyone else (including social media agencies, like us!)
Setup Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Activate 2FA for an extra layer of security. This usually involves entering a code received by text, or generated by an authentication app on your phone, that you’ll need to enter along with your password. Even if someone manages to get your password, they won’t be able to access your account without this additional code.
Lock Your Profile
If possible, turn on the “Lock My Profile” feature to prevent people being able to view and download your profile picture and cover photo. This feature is not yet available to all users.
Only Accept Trusted Friend Requests
Ignore requests from people you don’t know personally, in real life.
Recognise Phishing Attempts – Check the Sender’s Email Address
Beware of suspicious emails and private messages that appear to be from Meta/Facebook Support. These may contain a warning that your account has been suspended or disabled. Verify the source before clicking on any links.
Emails from Facebook are always sent from an address that ends with facebook.com, fb.com, facebookmail.com. Scammers often use variations like facebook-me.com, facebook-xero.com, meta-x.com.
Keep Software Up-to-Date
Install the latest updates for your phone, computer and Internet browser. These often contain security updates to protect your device against newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Stay Alert, Think Before You Click
This advice is not exhaustive. The information in this article was current at the time of writing but the risks are ever evolving, and the Meta platform changes daily too. For up-to-date information, view the Facebook Help Centre.
Most importantly, stay alert, and think before you click.
