There are many ways to prevent access to your account by the next person to use the device, the easiest of which is to log out. However if your smartphone or device gets stolen, it’s a whole different matter. In this article, we will go through some important options you can take to prevent others from accessing your personal Facebook account.

Set up Login Alerts. Login Alerts send you an alert (Facebook notification, email, and/or text message) when someone logs into your account from an unrecognized location. If you get a login alert and you weren’t the one that logged in, click or tap the This wasn’t me link to recover your account immediately. Here’s how to set up Login Alerts:

• On a computer:
  • Go to https://www.facebook.com
  • Click Edit next to “Get alerts about unrecognized logins.”
  • Choose how to receive notifications and click Save Changes.
• On a phone or tablet:
  • Open the Facebook app and tap the menu (the three horizontal lines) or the large F at the bottom-center.
  • Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy.
  • Tap Settings.
  • Tap Security and Login.
  • Tap Get alerts about unrecognized logins.
  • Choose how you want to receive alerts.

Enable two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication gives your account an extra level of security by requesting a security code when you log in from an unknown browser. You can choose to receive this code via SMS text message or using an authentication app like Google Authenticator. After setting up two-factor authentication, you’ll be given options for recovering your account in case you lose access to your second device (your phone).

• On a Computer:
  • Go to http://www.facebook.com
  • Click Edit next to ” Use two-factor authentication.”
  • Select Use Text Message and follow the instructions to receive codes via SMS (most common), and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Select Use Authentication App to use an authentication app like Duo or Google Authenticator, and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Using a phone or tablet:
  • Open the Facebook app and tap the menu (the three horizontal lines) or the large F at the bottom-center.
  • Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
  • Tap Security and Login.
  • Tap Use two-factor authentication.
  • Tap Use Text Message and follow the instructions to receive codes via SMS (most common), and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Tap Use Authentication App to use an authentication app like Duo or Google Authenticator, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Limit who can see your posts. If you’ve never specifically chosen an audience for your Facebook posts, you may be sharing your information publicly. When posting to Facebook, you can click or tap the small drop-down menu above (mobile) or below (computer) the typing area to select an audience (Public, Friends, etc.). If you want to go back and limit your previous posts, here’s how:

• Using a computer:
  • Go to http://www.facebook.com
  • Click Edit next to “Who can see your future posts?” to control your default posting privacy.
  • Click Limit Past Posts to change all public (or friends-of-friends) posts to friends-only.
  • Click Check a few important settings at the top of the page to run a privacy checkup for more settings to change.
• Using a phone or tablet:
  • Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy Settings.
  • Tap Who can see your future posts? to control your default posting privacy.
  • Tap Limit who can see past posts to change all public (or friends-of-friends) posts to friends-only.
  • Tap Check a few important settings at the top of the page to run a privacy checkup for more settings to change.
• To see what your profile looks like to other people (computer or mobile), go to your profile, click or tap the three horizontal dots (…) near the top of the page, and then select View as.

AVOID SAVING PASSWORDS ON PUBLIC DEVICES

Cybercafés are awesome alternatives when you do not have any data on your device. They are also reserves for passwords since most people just click on ‘yes’ on the save password dialog box.

They do so because of the rush they face during browsing. This might also happen to you. If you do not have a device to browse the web, never save your passwords on a device you have no control over.

The password will remain there, and someone will definitely log into your account without any hustle.

ALWAYS LOG OUT ON OTHER DEVICES

Not saving your password is not the only way to prevent hacking on public devices. Leaving your account logged in also paves the way for hackers to take control of your account.

Even if you close the browser after a session, Facebook will recognize the session as continuous for a while. If a person comes in just right after you, he should have access to your account.

You have to ensure that you have logged out and that neither your number nor email address is displayed in the authentication tabs. You’ll otherwise find some nasty posts up on your wall if the guy is aiming to destroy you.

CLEAN UP YOUR BROWSER

It is always advisable to clean up your browser every once in awhile….

Most phishing and virus activities are found in porn and torrent sites. If you are a frequent visitor (not judging), always clear your data before someone gains access to your authentication details.

If that seems like much of a hustle, just download an adware removal tool to take care of that for you. The next person trying to hack you will not find the ones and zeros he/she is phishing for.

5) PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SPYWARE AND MALWARE

The hacking problems are not only web-based. A person can hack your browser through malicious software you may have unknowingly installed on your computer.

Some of these software could also spam some pop-up ads onto your screen or browser. You can avoid this by using malware, adware, and spyware removers.

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