Kirsten Armleder| May 2, 2022
As a digital marketing company, we frequently talk about online security, especially when it comes to Facebook. One of the most used social media platforms, Facebook hosts a veritable treasure trove of information that bad actors would love to access. And it’s not just your personal account that could be at risk, but your Business Page as well since the two are usually linked.
Here are some tips and tools to step up your security settings:
1. Use a strong password
We’ll start with the most obvious and perhaps the most important! Choose a strong password and update it regularly. Be sure to store your password in a secure location and avoid using the same password for other logins. A password manager is a handy tool for not only generating strong passwords but keeping them secure as well. If you can’t remember the last time that you updated your Facebook password, it is a good idea to do that as soon as you finish reading this!
2. Set up two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your account and is an absolute must, in our opinion. If someone guesses your password, they can’t log into your account. Facebook prompts users attempting to log in on an unrecognized device or browser to enter a login code sent to your phone. You can also use a third-party authentication app to set up 2FA. As an extra precaution, consider making it a requirement for Page Admins and anyone with access to your Business Page to enable 2FA on their account.
- Bonus Tip: Review who has access to your Business Page. It is common for businesses to appoint an employee(s) to post updates and respond to comments on their behalf; however, it is also common to forget to remove employee(s) access when they leave.
3. Review where you logged in to Facebook
Nearly all Facebook users access the platform via the mobile app on their smartphone; however, if you have a tablet and a computer, there’s a chance you are logged into Facebook on more than one device. Review all the places you are currently logged in by going into your Settings > Security and Login. If you are using Facebook on a browser, be sure to log out at the end of every session. It is good to routinely log out of the Facebook mobile app as well and highly recommended that you have a passcode enabled on your smartphone should it end up in someone else’s hands!
4. Control who can send you friend requests
Make sure only friends of friends can send you friend requests. Unfortunately, this setting doesn’t fully ensure that you won’t receive a friend request from a potential hacker, because, if a friend of yours accepts a request from someone they don’t know, that person can now send you a request. As a rule of thumb, don’t accept friend or message requests from people you don’t know. Also, be skeptical of messages that appear to come from friends but contain an odd-looking link or some sort of audacious claim.
5. Go through Facebook Privacy Checkup
Privacy Checkup is a tool Facebook offers to make it easier to review your account settings. From configuring who can see your posts to what personal information you want to make available, it has the key settings you’ll want to review to help keep your account secure. From there, you can even set up an automated reminder to complete privacy checkups on a regular basis. You’ll find the Privacy Checkup tool in your Settings.
6. Set up trusted contacts
Should your account get hacked and you are locked out, you can get help from people who you’ve selected as your trusted contacts. Facebook requires at least three trusted contacts. All the people you name as your trusted contacts will need to be contacted should you get locked out, so make sure they are willing and able to help.