"I FEEL LIKE CRYING! MY BUSINESS FACEBOOK ACCOUNT GOT HACKED”
Lessons Learned and How to Protect Yours
In today's digital age, social media platforms play a pivotal role in the success of businesses. Facebook, with its massive user base, is a popular choice for companies to engage with their audience and promote their products or services. As you know, I use it for Hoster.
However, with great opportunity comes great risk, and one of those risks is having your business Facebook account hacked, leading to potential financial losses. In this blog post, I'll share my personal experience of a Facebook hack that cost my business money and provide insights into how you can safeguard your business's Facebook account.
MY FACEBOOK HORROR STORY
It all began with a seemingly innocent email notification, informing me of suspicious activity on my business Facebook account. I panicked and rushed to log in, only to find that I had lost access to my account. The intruder had taken control, and my company's page, once filled with Hoster updates and valuable customer interactions, was now filled with spam and potentially malicious links.
The worst part? Money had been stolen from my ad campaign budget. Not only was my brand's reputation at risk, but it had hit my bottom line. It was a wakeup call that prompted me to reevaluate my online security measures and share what I learned with others.
Lessons Learned
1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
This is your first line of defence. With 2FA enabled, even if someone obtains your password, they won't be able to access your account without a second form of verification.
2. Use Strong Passwords
A strong password includes a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid easily guessable information like birthdays or family names.
3. Regularly Change Passwords
It's a good practice to change your password every few months. This makes it harder for hackers to gain access.
4. Educate Your Team
If you have a team managing your Facebook account, ensure that they are also aware of these security measures. You're only as strong as your weakest link.
5. Monitor Account Activity
Frequently check your Facebook Page's activity log to spot any unusual or unauthorized activities, including unrecognized posts or edits.
6. Beware of Phishing Attempts
Educate yourself and your team about phishing emails and scams that try to steal login information.
Recovering from a Facebook Hack
If your Facebook account does get hacked, it's not the end of the world. Feels like it though! I’m not through to gaining control of the Hoster site yet but these are the recommended steps to regain control:
1. Report the Hack
Immediately report the hack to Facebook by visiting the "Help Center." I’m still having challenges in doing this as it is super hard to get to the right area of Facebook to lodge this hack. I’ll keep you informed.
2. Change Password
If you can get in to your account, reset your password and ensure that it's strong.
3. Scan for Malware
Run an antivirus scan on the device used to access your Facebook account.
4. Remove Suspicious Content
Delete any unauthorized posts, links, or changes made by the hacker.
5. Check Authorized Apps
Review and remove any suspicious or unauthorized third-party apps that may have access to your account.
6. Recover Financial Losses
If money was stolen, contact Facebook's support for assistance in recovering the lost funds.