Friday, April 6, 2012

What Should You Do When You've Been Hacked On Facebook?

Question: What should I do when I've been hacked on Facebook?

Answer: First of all, we're sorry to hear you've been the victim of a "Facecrook." You probably discovered the problem when you were denied access to your Facebook page after the hacker changed your password. But have no fear; you can reclaim your account and get your Facebook life back in order.

You'll need to reset your password and make sure it's secure. If you're not logged in, you can reset your password by clicking the "Forgot your password?" link on the Facebook login page.

If you're already logged in, you can reset your password by going to your Account Settings page located in the Account drop-down menu at the top of every Facebook page.

When choosing a new password:

  • Use a combination of at least six numbers, letters, and punctuation marks.
  • Don't pick a word from the dictionary.
  • Don't pick something you've used as a password on another site.
To reduce your chances of getting hacked again, be careful before signing up for a new Facebook application; they are often the gateway to these kinds of problems. In particular, watch out for applications with "too good to be true" promises as well as those that request you invite half of your friends before you get full functionality.