In this article, we’ll go over some important Facebook Account security tips that every digital user should implement. Data has become more vulnerable than ever, with hundreds of hacking attempts happening every day. So, stay safe by following these tips below.
1. Choose a strong password
Certain websites and apps let you log in with Facebook, so hackers will go to great lengths to steal your Facebook account password.
Password Dos and Don’ts:
- Never reuse passwords. Generate new passwords for each online account to avoid all of your accounts getting hacked at once.
- Never use dictionary words. It takes seconds for hacking software to guess an eight character dictionary-word password, but a nonsensical mixed-character password could take centuries to crack.
- Use a password manager. For now am not recommending any password manager but if you need one, drop your comment below.
2. Turn on 2FA (two-factor authentication)
Hackers can jump over one hurdle, so make it harder for them by setting up 2FA with your Facebook account.
When two-factor authentication is activated, Facebook will ask you to sign in with your password and your phone. After entering your password and the code sent to your registered phone number, you’ll be granted access to your Facebook account.
How to turn on 2FA with your Facebook account
- In your profile, click the arrow in the top-right corner, and then click Settings & Privacy.
- On the left-hand side, click Security & Login.
- Scroll down to Use two-factor authentication and click the Edit button.
- Click Use Text Message (SMS).
- Click Add Phone Number and then Continue.
- Enter your phone number along with your country code and click Continue to finish.
3. Enable login alerts
Like your own security butler, Facebook will notify you by email, text message, or Facebook notification whenever your account is logged into. This is great for nipping any Facebook account breaches in the bud and is extremely easy to set up.
How to set up login alerts on Facebook
- In your profile, click the arrow in the top-right corner, and then click Settings and Privacy.
- On the left-hand side, click Security & Login.
- Scroll down to find Get alerts about unrecognized logins and click the Edit button.
- Choose where you’d like to get the notifications and then click Save Changes.
4. Stop Facebook tracking your location
Facebook tracks and stores your locations, allowing you to geotag your photos, and find free hotspots and friends nearby. More importantly for the company, this helps them to target you with relevant ads.
Facebook also operates a tracking scheme called Background Location. When it’s turned on, Facebook can track the exact location of your device even when you’re not using the app. You can turn off Background Location in your device settings.
If you turn off location tracking, you won’t be able to find nearby friends or public Wi-Fi, for instance. However, it will limit your exposure to tracking from third parties, which may store your data in unencrypted databases and use your personal information for large-scale surveillance schemes.
Note: Facebook may still store personal location data when you check in, RSVP to an event, or tag your location in a photo. So, bear this in mind if you want to keep your location data totally private.
How to turn off Facebook location tracking
- From the arrow in the top-right corner of your profile, choose Settings.
- Find Location in the left-hand panel.
- From here, you can view all of the locations that Facebook has logged and Turn Off location tracking.
5. Manage how your data is used for ads
You may not know this, but companies work with social media sites to track user data. It allows Facebook to target you with the right ads, and it also helps companies analyze their customers’ habits. Facebook may also collect information about websites and apps you use off of Facebook, and other apps may receive additional non-public information from your Facebook account. All of this rings alarm bells in our minds.
With all the scandals surrounding big tech tracking and data breaches, you might want to hide your online activity and app traffic, for better Facebook account security.
How to stop apps sharing your activity with Facebook
- Limit how often you sign in to apps with Facebook, as this gives the app permission to track your Facebook activity, and vice versa.
- Adjust the app settings within Facebook. This will stop other websites and apps from using and storing your Facebook data, giving you a little extra online privacy.
- From the arrow in the top-right corner of your profile, choose Settings.
- Click Apps and Websites in the left-hand panel.
- Click Ad Settings.
- Click Ads shown off of Facebook and toggle the switch to Off.
