Essential Tips For Protecting Your Business From Facebook Hackers in 2021
Hacking has truly become a global epidemic in recent years. There is an attack by a hacker every 39 seconds and 75 records are stolen by a hacker every single second.
These statistics are shocking and terrifying for many people who fear for their personal safety and security. But, hackers also pose a huge threat to online businesses who rely on digital platforms.
According to Fortune, 66% of businesses that are targeted by hackers feel they cannot recover from the attack. Not to mention, 75% of businesses don’t have cyber attack prevention or a response plan.
With hacking on the rise, it is vital for you to protect the online business you have worked so hard to create and grow. These following tips and tricks will help you and your business avoid being hacked as we move into 2021 and hacking becomes even more common.
Pay Attention to Your Passwords
Obviously, passwords are essential for keeping your accounts and information safe. But not all passwords and practices are effective for diverting clever hackers.
First, you should pick a strong password. Many browsers or platforms suggest strong passwords for you to use. You should take these suggestions whenever possible!
Even though it might be harder to remember and take a little bit longer to type, using a strong password is essential for avoiding hackers.
You should not use obvious aspects of your identity like your name or address in passwords and you shouldn’t repeat them either — every account or platform should have a different password. Not to mention, you shouldn’t be sharing your passwords with anyone except your closest colleagues.
If you ever find yourself using a public device, your accounts are even more vulnerable. You should never save passwords on public devices and you should always make sure to log out before leaving a device unattended.
Lastly, make sure you are only inputting passwords and logging onto Facebook at www.facebook.com. Hackers often create very similar web addresses so that unassuming people will enter their passwords and information into those fake sites without realizing they are compromising their information.
Simply take a moment to check the URL and make sure you are logging into the correct website.
Two-Factor Authentication is Key
Although it takes a little bit more time and can be slightly annoying, two-factor authentication makes your login process much more secure and ensures that hackers won’t be able to access your account — even if they have your username and password.
In fact, multi-factor authentication poses the greatest obstacle to hackers.
It is a system that allows users to access Facebook only after they have authenticated their identity through two or more pieces of information or processes.
First, you must enter your username and password. Then, Facebook will send a code to your phone or email and you must enter that code to access your account.
The addition of this one simple step may save your Facebook account or business from being overrun by savvy hackers.
Facebook even offers the option for you to enable two-factor authentication for an entire business. All you have to do to enable this security feature is go to the Facebook Business Manager and select ‘business settings.’
Then, you have to click the ‘edit’ button on the top right of the page and find the ‘two-factor authentication’ drop down menu.
This feature is most likely set to ‘not required,’ so all you have to do is change it to ‘required for everyone’ and hit the save button on in the top right hand corner of the page.
You can also review other essential security tips that Facebook recommends here.
Give Your Browser a Boost
One of the most vital things you can do to protect your Facebook account is frequently update your browser of choice.
Hackers are constantly finding new ways to hack into accounts and steal information. But, many browser updates are issued specifically to combat these emerging issues.
If you update your browser frequently, you will have the most recent and effective built-in protection against hackers.
Updating your browser is quick, easy, and super simple. If you predominantly use Google Chrome, you’re in luck — the browser updates automatically.
If you want to make sure you have the most up-to-date version, you can check by clicking the control menu in the top right corner of the browser (the three vertical dots). From the drop-down menu that appears, select ‘help’ and then ‘about Google Chrome.’
In the next window, Chrome will automatically check for updates and display the current version. If updates were installed, click the ‘Relaunch’ button to restart the browser.
That’s it! You can browse with the most recent and effective security — and out of reach of hackers.
Safari also updates automatically as long as you have Apple updates turned on. If you want to check update status or manually update to the latest version, you can click the Apple icon in the top right corner of your desktop.
Then, select ‘App Store’ from the drop-down menu that populates. In the new window, click the ‘updates’ button at the bottom of the page on the left. From here, locate Safari on the list of apps and update it manually.
If you have FireFox, Opera, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, or another alternative browser, follow the detailed steps on this website to make sure that your browsers are updated and secure.
Run Antivirus Software
Running antivirus softwares is essential for hacker prevention. Antivirus software does three important things.
First, it monitors your system by checking for viruses or malware that originate in email attachments or browser actions. Then, the software creates a log report that gives you information about the threats (if any) that were found during the scan.
Finally, it attempts to repair any damage that has been done by crippling and quarantining the malware for removal. They will also attempt to mend any other data that may have been damaged by a malware threat.
If you’ve never installed an antivirus software onto your business device before, here’s how you start:
Backup your computer files. It's good business practice to run regularly scheduled backups so if you do find a malware threat or virus, you may have a clean foundation to come back to.
Download a free trial. A trial can give you much needed time to become familiar with the tools and level of protection offered by the software.
Before installation, execute a critical scan of major system components like the registry and startup services. If a problem is found, follow all steps to remove the problem before attempting to install the software completely. If the computer is already compromised, many softwares won't install or update until the malware is removed.
Be prepared to turn off Internet connectivity if you have been compromised. This prevents any malware on your computer from communicating to a remote system that could further disrupt your computer.
Install the software. Once you know your computer has a clean, threat-free system, complete installation of the software by following the simple prompts and instructions.
Now that you’ve successfully installed your antivirus software, you can initiate your first scan.
Make sure that all security updates are downloaded and up-to-date on the software.
Complete a full virus scan. This will scan hard drives, removable media, system memory, email, and other data for viruses or malware threats.
Read the report to see if any further action is required. Malware or viruses will usually be quarantined to await action from you. Most antivirus softwares give you an informed recommendation for you to follow.
Follow prompts to get rid of potential threats.
Then you're done! The process is super easy and quick despite the massive protection it provides.
Experts recommend businesses should complete a full virus scan at least once a week to maintain optimum protection from hackers and other dangerous malware threats.
What To Do If Your Facebook Business Account Gets Hacked
If you've come by this article too late or your Facebook Business Manager has somehow been hacked, there are several steps you can take to try and save your business.
You can try to fill out a bug report using the developer support form or reach out to Facebook staff directly, but usually these options have delayed responses or no responses at all. In the meantime, you should complete the following steps to salvage as much as possible.
Make all the necessary screenshots and file an incident report here https://developers.facebook.com/incident/report/
Try to restore your admin access to the app using the appeal form here https://developers.facebook.com/appeal/ — there may still be a chance that your app contact email could be in use for Facebook support communications. This form may allow you to regain admin access if you follow the instructions sent to your email.
It would be a good idea to immediately start with the process of securing all the accounts that were used as potential sites of attack. The Facebook security outreach team recommends that you use the standard Facebook help center (https://www.facebook.com/hacked) to report the hack.
After trying these steps, you should reach out to your business team, followers, customers, etc. to notify them of the hack and make sure they are informed and protected.
If you follow the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you will ensure vital protections and hacker prevention for the business you have worked so hard to develop. Your online business is too valuable and special to leave to clever hackers.
As 2021 quickly approaches in an era of overwhelming hacking, protect your business from being hacked — and possibly lost forever.