Introduction

Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 2.8 billion monthly active users¹. It allows you to connect with your friends and family, share your photos and videos, join groups and pages, play games, and more. However, with such a large user base, Facebook also attracts hackers and scammers who try to access your account and use it for malicious purposes. Some of the signs that your Facebook account has been hacked are:

• Your email or password has changed without your knowledge.
• Your name or birthday has changed.
• Friend requests have been sent to people you don’t know.
• Messages have been sent that you didn’t write.
• Posts or ads have been made that you didn’t create.

If you notice any of these signs, you should act quickly to secure your account and protect your data. In this article, we will show you how to recover your hacked Facebook account in four steps:

• Report the hacking to Facebook.
• Change your password and security settings.
• Review your recent activity and remove any unauthorized changes.
• Update your antivirus software and scan your devices.

Step 1: Report the hacking to Facebook

The first thing you should do if you think your Facebook account has been hacked is to report it to Facebook. This will help Facebook to investigate the hacking and take appropriate actions. There are two ways to report a hacked Facebook account, depending on whether you can still log in or not.

If you can still log in to your account

If you can still access your account, you should visit this page to secure your account. Facebook will ask you to change your password and review recent login activity. You will also see some tips and tools to help you keep your account safe.

If you can’t log in to your account

If you can’t access your account, you should go to the profile of the account you want to recover and click below the cover photo. Then, select Find support or report profile, choose Something else, and click Next. Finally, click Recover this account and follow the steps²³. You may need to verify your identity by answering some security questions, entering a code sent to your email or phone, or uploading a photo of your ID.

Step 2: Change your password and security settings

After you report the hacking to Facebook, you should change your password and security settings to prevent further unauthorized access. To change your password, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Change password. You should choose a strong and unique password that is different from your other accounts. You can use a password manager like [LastPass] or [Dashlane] to generate and store your passwords securely.

To change your security settings, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login and review the following options:

• Where you’re logged in: This shows you the devices and locations where your account is currently logged in. You should log out of any devices that you don’t recognize or trust.
• Two-factor authentication: This adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring a code or a confirmation from another device when you log in. You should enable this feature and choose a method that suits you, such as text message, authentication app, or security key.
• Get alerts about unrecognized logins: This notifies you by email, phone, or Facebook when someone tries to log in to your account from an unfamiliar device or location. You should turn on this feature and choose the alert methods that you prefer.

Step 3: Review your recent activity and remove any unauthorized changes

The next step is to review your recent activity and remove any unauthorized changes that the hacker may have made to your account. To do this, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Activity Log and filter by category, date, or keyword. You should look for any suspicious or unwanted actions, such as:

• Changing your name, birthday, email, phone, or password.
• Sending or accepting friend requests.
• Sending or receiving messages.
• Posting or commenting on posts, photos, videos, or ads.
• Liking or reacting to posts, photos, videos, or ads.
• Joining or leaving groups or pages.
• Updating your profile picture, cover photo, or bio.
• Editing your privacy settings or preferences.

If you find any unauthorized changes, you should undo them by clicking on the three dots next to the activity and selecting the appropriate option, such as Delete, Unlike, Remove Tag, or Report. You should also inform your friends and contacts about the hacking and ask them to ignore any messages or requests that they may have received from your account.

Step 4: Update your antivirus software and scan your devices

The last step is to update your antivirus software and scan your devices for any malware or viruses that may have compromised your account. Malware is a type of software that can harm your devices or steal your information. Some common types of malware are:

• Spyware: This can monitor your online activity, collect your personal data, or display unwanted ads.
• Ransomware: This can lock your files or devices and demand a ransom to restore them.
• Keylogger: This can record your keystrokes, including your passwords and other sensitive information.
• Trojan: This can disguise itself as a legitimate program or file and infect your devices or networks.

To protect your devices from malware, you should use a reputable antivirus software like [Norton] or [McAfee] and keep it updated regularly. You should also scan your devices frequently and remove any threats that are detected. You can also use a VPN like [ExpressVPN] or [NordVPN] to encrypt your online traffic and hide your IP address.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained how to recover a hacked Facebook account in four steps:

• Report the hacking to Facebook.
• Change your password and security settings.
• Review your recent activity and remove any unauthorized changes.
• Update your antivirus software and scan your devices.

By following these steps, you can regain control of your account and prevent future hacking attempts. You can also visit Facebook’s Help Center for more information and support on hacked and fake accounts. Remember to always be careful and vigilant when using Facebook and other online platforms, and never share your password or personal information with anyone. Stay safe and happy browsing! 😊