Being cloned – a Senior’s worst nightmare on Facebook! Here are some seriously important tips to keep on hand – how to safeguard your Facebook account, and the steps to secure your Facebook account and to avoid being cloned.
In today’s digital age, social media platforms like Facebook have become an integral part of our daily lives. For seniors, Facebook offers a wonderful opportunity to stay connected with loved ones, share memories, and engage with communities. However, with great convenience comes great responsibility, especially when it comes to safeguarding your personal information from hackers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of securing your Facebook account and provide some easy-to-follow tips to help you stay safe online.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand why securing your Facebook account is important. Hackers are constantly on the lookout for vulnerabilities they can exploit to gain access to your personal information. This can include sensitive data such as your email address, phone number, and even your financial information if you have linked accounts. Once hackers gain access to your account, they can impersonate you, spread malicious content, or even steal your identity. Therefore, taking steps to secure your Facebook account is essential for protecting yourself from potential harm.
So, what can you do to keep your Facebook account safe?
Here are some simple yet effective tips:
- Use a Strong Password: Make sure your password is strong and unique. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like “123456” or “password”. Instead, create a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols that only you would know. THINK Social Media recommends using a password that you will remember for all your accounts and adding the platform in CAPS with an ! After eg: PasswordFACEBOOK! Or PasswordINSTAGRAM!
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone or email, in addition to your password. This makes it much harder for hackers to gain access to your account. Please see below the steps to take to add Two-Factor Authentication to your personal Facebook and Instagram account.
- Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Hackers often use phishing emails or messages to trick users into revealing their login credentials. Be cautious of any unsolicited messages asking for your personal information, and never click on suspicious links. Always look at the email address that any messages come from, all emails from Facebook should come from Facebook.com ONLY. Hackers use a sense of urgency in order confuse users, this can be anything from your account will be closed in 24 hours unless you click on the link below and verify your details. Always double check and if you are not sure rather copy the email or message and paste it into Google. This will tell you if it is legitimate.
- Keep Your Software Updated: Make sure you’re using the latest version of the Facebook app or website, as updates often include security patches that help protect against known vulnerabilities. It also helps to have a good anti-virus software on your computer.
- Review Your Privacy Settings: Regularly review and update your privacy settings to control who can see your posts, photos, and personal information. Limiting the audience for your content can help reduce the risk of it falling into the wrong hands.
Here are the steps to secure your personal Facebook account:
- Log into Facebook.
2. On your home page, go to your Facebook icon on the top far right and click on the downward arrow. Select Setting & Privacy.
3. Select Settings.
4. Select Meta Accounts setting on the left side of your page. This will open a new page with all your information about your personal account.
5. On the left click on Password and security. Then click Two-factor authentication.
6. Choose the account that you would like to add Two-factor authentication. You will need to enter your Facebook personal password.
7. This will give you a variety of different options to secure your personal Facebook account. THINK Social Media suggests using the text message option.
8. Add your cell phone number and then enter the code that will be sent to your cell phone via text message.
9. Once this has been added, even if a hacker has your username and password, they will not be able to access your personal Facebook account unless they enter the code that has been sent to your cell phone.
Please never share this code with anyone you do not know. Facebook will never ask you for a code to gain access to your account.
By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of your Facebook account being compromised by hackers.
Remember, staying safe online is all about being proactive and taking precautions to protect yourself and your personal information. So, take the time to secure your Facebook account today and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your online presence is protected.
Article by Lesley Mallon of THINK Social Media
Email: hello@thinksocialmedia.co.za
THINK Social Media has been in business since 2012
