For active Facebook users, there are few things scarier than trying to log in only to find that you’re locked out of your account. A hacked account gives a complete stranger access to loads of personal data and exposes all your contacts to abuse. This article gives you five steps you can take right now to make your Facebook account more secure and enable you to recover it if ever lose access.
Review & Update Contact Info
Facebook will send you log-in information to your email or cell phone, but this is only helpful if the number or email addresses on file are current. You can check or edit your contact information in your account settings, which can be accessed through the drop-down menu in the upper right hand corner of Facebook, next to the home tab. Your email can be edited under the General Account Settings, and mobile settings have their own tab under the General Account Settings.
Turn on the Secure Browsing Feature
The secure browsing feature enables HTTPS or hypertext transfer protocol secure. This provides an additional level of security to web browsing with encryption and helps prevent third parties from accessing your information. This feature can be turned on under the Security Settings tab in Facebook, which is found under the General settings.
Use Good Password Practices
In order to keep your passwords secure, it is ideal to change them every three months or so. Minimally, passwords should be updated every six months. Your Facebook password can be updated under the General Account Settings by clicking the edit button.
Turn On Login Notifications
The Login Notification feature is an option that will inform you, via text message or email, when your Facebook account has been accessed by a computer or mobile device that has not previously accessed the account. This feature can be turned on under the Security Settings tab.
Turn On the Login Approval Feature
The login approval feature requires the entry of a security code every time an unrecognized mobile device or a computer attempts to access your Facebook account. Without the correct security code, account access is denied. This feature can also be turned on under the Security Settings tab.
Conclusion
By employing good security practices, such as always logging out of your Facebook account, enabling security features, and keeping your contact information up to date, you help make your Facebook account both secure and recoverable.
