Security features and tips
Use our security features such as login alerts and approvals, and review and update your security settings at any time.
Keep your account secure
Here are a few things that you can do to keep your account secure.
Protect your password
- Don't
use your Facebook password anywhere else online, and never share it with
other people.
- Your
password should be hard to guess, so don't include your name or common
words.
- Learn
more about creating a strong password.
Never share your login information
- Scammers
may create fake websites that look like Facebook and ask you to log in
with your email address and password.
- Always
check the website's URL before you enter your login information. When in
doubt, type www.facebook.com into your browser to get to
Facebook.
- Don't
forward emails from Meta to other people, as they may have sensitive
information about your account.
- Learn
more about avoiding phishing.
Log out of Facebook when you use a computer that you
share with other people
- If you
forget, you can log out remotely.
Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know
- Scammers
may create fake accounts to friend people.
- Becoming
friends with scammers might allow them to spam your timeline, tag you in
posts and send you malicious messages.
Watch out for malicious software
- Malicious
software can cause damage to a computer, server or computer network.
- Learn the signs of
an infected computer or device and how to remove malicious software.
- Keep
your web browser up to date and remove suspicious applications or browser add-ons.
Never click suspicious links, even if they appear to come
from a friend or a company you know
- This
includes links on Facebook (e.g. on posts) or in emails.
- Bear
in mind that Meta will never ask you for your password in an email.
- If you
see a suspicious link on Facebook, report it.
Use our extra security options
- You
can also get alerts about unrecognised logins and set up two-factor authentication.
- If
you're logged in to Facebook on a computer, you can use Security Checkup to
review your security settings.
Here are 15 security features and tips specifically tailored
for Facebook:
- Strong
Passwords: Use a unique and strong password for your Facebook account.
Avoid using easily guessable information like your name or birthdate.
- Enable
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Turn on 2FA for an extra layer of
security. Facebook offers various options such as SMS codes,
authentication apps, or security keys.
- Review
Login Alerts: Enable login alerts to receive notifications whenever
your account is accessed from an unrecognized device or location.
- Regularly
Review Active Sessions: Check your active sessions regularly to see if
there are any unauthorized devices logged into your account. You can find
this in the Security and Login settings.
- Secure
Your Email Account: Ensure that the email linked to your Facebook
account is secure. Use 2FA for your email as well and regularly review
login activity.
- Limit
Profile Information: Be cautious about the personal information you
share on your profile, such as your phone number, address, or full
birthdate. Limit the visibility of this information to friends only or
customize your privacy settings.
- Manage
Friend Requests: Be selective about accepting friend requests. Only
add people you know and trust to minimize the risk of unauthorized access
to your account.
- Beware
of Phishing Attempts: Be wary of suspicious messages or links, even if
they appear to come from friends. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or
providing personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
- Review
App Permissions: Regularly review the permissions granted to
third-party apps connected to your Facebook account. Remove any apps that
you no longer use or trust.
- Customize
Privacy Settings: Take advantage of Facebook's privacy settings to
control who can see your posts, friends list, and other personal
information. Regularly review and adjust these settings based on your
preferences.
- Use
Secure Browsing: Enable the option to browse Facebook over HTTPS for
encrypted communication, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.
- Report
Suspicious Activity: If you notice any suspicious activity on your
account, such as unauthorized posts or messages, report it to Facebook
immediately.
- Avoid
Public Wi-Fi: Avoid logging into your Facebook account on public Wi-Fi
networks, as they may be less secure and susceptible to eavesdropping.
- Log
Out of Unused Devices: If you've logged into Facebook on a shared or
public device, remember to log out when you're done to prevent
unauthorized access.
- Stay
Informed: Stay updated on Facebook's security features, policies, and
best practices by regularly checking their official announcements and
resources.