What to do if your Facebook account is hacked
When a Facebook account is hacked or taken over, the attacker often uses it to advertise, spread spam, and spread viruses. If your Facebook account is creating posts you didn't, or you are getting complaints about spam, your account is likely compromised. Below are several recommendations on what to do if your account is hacked and compromised.
Change Facebook password
Log in to your Facebook account from the facebook.com website and change your account password.
If your Facebook password does not work, click the Forgot your password? link under the login boxes on the Facebook website. You are prompted to have the password reset information sent to your account's registered e-mail address. Follow the instructions in that password reset e-mail to change your Facebook password.
Change application permissions
Some applications may also grant access to post on your Facebook profile. To adjust which applications can post on your profile, follow the steps below.
- Click the down arrow on the top-right section of the Facebook menu bar, next to your Facebook profile thumbnail.
- In the drop-down menu, select Settings & Privacy, then select Settings.
- In the left navigation pane, click the Apps and Websites option.
- The App and Websites page shows all the applications and websites that have some level of access to your Facebook account. Click the Remove button to the right of the application or website to remove its access to your Facebook account. To view the access an application or website has to your Facebook account, click the View and Edit button to the right.
Friends may also be able to post to your profile. To turn off this feature, click the down arrow on the top-right section of the Facebook menu bar, select Settings & Privacy, then select Settings. In the left navigation pane, click the Profile and Tagging option. Click the Edit link to the right of the "Who can post on your profile?" option. In the drop-down list, select Only me to only allow posts from yourself on your profile.
Facebook account privacy checkup
Facebook provides a privacy checkup service to help ensure the security of your account and help you verify your privacy settings. To perform the privacy checkup, follow the steps below.
- Click the down arrow on the top-right section of the Facebook menu bar, next to your Facebook profile thumbnail.
- In the drop-down menu, select Settings & Privacy, then select Privacy Checkup.
- On the Privacy Checkup page, click each option to review your account's security status, and view recommendations for improving your account security and privacy settings.
Visit the Facebook security help page
For additional help on what you can do if your account is hacked or impersonated, visit the Facebook hacked and fake accounts page.