We’re getting more and more reports of Facebook accounts being hacked and used in phishing or virus attempts, so we’ve gathered info from other places around the web to put on one page we can send our clients and contacts to if it happens to them.
The first time you know that your account is hacked is usually when one of your friends tells you that they’ve received a dodgy link via DM, or you’ve been posting ‘weird’ links on his / her wall – the DM spam is usually a video link that then asks your friend to log in, thus getting their Facebook account details and spamming all their friends, and so on it goes.
Facebook’s help section isn’t gloriously all encompassing, but the following parts are relevant:
If your account has been hacked and you can still access your login email address, please attempt to reset the password to your account by selecting the “Forgot your password?” link that appears above the Password field on the Facebook Login page. An email will be sent to you with steps for completing the process.
So basically, change your password. This means that whatever has had access in the past won’t have access any more.
Sometimes the hack means that your login email has been changed too, in which case it’s a little more complicated:
If your account has been hacked and the login email on your account has also been compromised or has been changed, please send us information about the account so we can look into it further and hopefully restore access. Please submit your report here.
So if you can’t change your password because the hack has changed your login email address too, you need to send a report. In our experience these are usually fixed fairly quickly, so you should get access back soon.
If you have been sending messages from your account, and posting links on other people’s walls, then the following applies:
It is possible that malicious software was downloaded to your computer or that your password was stolen by a phishing website designed to look like Facebook.Please carefully follow the steps provided:
- Run anti-virus software: If your computer has been infected with a virus or with malware, you will need to run anti-virus software to remove these harmful programs and keep your information secure.
- Reset password: From the Account Setting page, you will need to create a new password. Be sure to use a different password than you use for other sites or services, made up of a complex string of numbers, letters, and punctuation marks that is at least six characters in length. Do not use words found in the dictionary.
So, run your antivirus and reset your password.
I’d also advise removing any links you have posted (you should be able to see from your profile page where you’ve posted links), and let your friends know by DM not to click on any links you’ve sent them.
There’s a whole lot more information on the Facebook Security help page, including how NOT to get hacked in the first place, so do have a read through. And check out their Security tips here.
These posts on other sites may also help:
- New Facebook worm spreading via users’ walls
- Has Facebook been hacked?
- FbFaction Facebook phishing attack
- Facebook applications used for phishing
- Recognising phishing emails
Other posts you may be interested in:
Tags: facebook, facebook account, hacked, hacking, phishing
{socially} useful article – thank you.
Have sent this to everyone, Nikki, you are a star, and all is back to normality … thanks
Thanks David
Glad you’re sorted Lizz – it was your plea this morning that prompted me to put this info in one place! x
It has happened to me 4 times now, unbelievable. Facebook connect was always giving me trouble and some of the reputable games available on facebook can also be used by members to promote dodgy link clicks.
Thanks for this. A couple of my FB friends’ accounts were hacked over the weekend, and I was wondering what kind of prevention I could do, and post hack what I could do to set thing right. This is so good I’ll be passing it along.
And Elio – ouch!
my facebook and users name on facebook and gmail was hack i hate it i need my account back right know it is 25sunnyday@gmail.com you cant e-mail me i dont have any money to get the problem fixed it is not my fault at all help i dont know help dont e-mail me because i dont know the password to my gmail and facebook accounts help