Table of contents
- How a Facebook attack works in 2025
- Enable two-factor authentication: the first defense
- Periodic verification of devices and active sessions
- The importance of strong and unique passwords
- Be wary of unknown friend requests
- What to do if your Facebook account has been hacked
- Watch out for the signs: how to tell if your account is at risk
- How to report scams and fake accounts
- Facebook security 2025, a shared responsibility
In 2025, the number of unauthorized access attempts to social profiles reached record levels. Facebook hackers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to take over users’ accounts and exploit them for scams, extortion, or malware distribution.
It is therefore essential to know how to protect your Facebook account, adopting all available countermeasures and keeping up to date with new risks. In this article we will see strategies, settings and behaviors to adopt to ensure Facebook security 2025, even in the event of suspected identity theft or compromise.
How a Facebook attack works in 2025
In 2025, cyber attacks against social profiles have undergone a worrying evolution. In the past, a simple phishing could be enough to compromise an account, today attacks combine social engineering, spoofing techniques, login page cloning, session token interception and cookie manipulation.
Added to this are threats via infected websites that, if visited by a user with an active session, can access browser data and start a parallel session.
Example
A scammer might send you a seemingly legitimate link from someone you don’t know, pretending to be a Facebook user or friend. When you click on the link, a fake page opens that collects your login credentials . From there, your account is hacked and the scammer can use it to send requests for money, spread viruses, or access other linked profiles.
Enable two-factor authentication: the first defense
The most effective method to protect your Facebook account today is two-factor authentication (2FA). When activated, in addition to your password, Facebook will ask for a second level of verification: a code sent via SMS, generated by an app like Google Authenticator, or via a physical FIDO2 key. Even if a Facebook hacker were to obtain your password, without this second element they would not be able to log in.
Here’s how to enable 2FA on Facebook:
- Go to Security Settings;
- Select Two-Factor Authentication;
- Choose between authenticator app, SMS or security key;
- Complete the procedure with an initial verification.
This measure can also be activated for connected third-party apps, preventing access via compromised browsers.
Periodic verification of devices and active sessions
For every user who cares about Facebook 2025 security, it is important to periodically check which devices are logged into your account. Facebook allows you to see the complete list in the “ Where you’re logged in ” section.
Here you can:
- Recognize suspicious logins from never-used devices;
- Close all active sessions;
- Revoke access to third-party websites and apps.
In any case of doubt, it is advisable to change your password and report the problem to Facebook support, especially if you fear that your account has been hacked.
The importance of strong and unique passwords
A strong password is still one of the pillars of security today. Avoid using common names, birth dates or words found in the dictionary. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. For example:
Insecure : giovanni1990
Sure : Gi0V@nn!#Fb2025
Also, don’t use the same password for multiple accounts. If another service gets hacked, hackers will try the same combination on Facebook. You can use a password manager to manage your credentials safely and without having to remember them all by heart.
Be wary of unknown friend requests
Accepting invitations from people you don’t know is one of the main sources of infection and compromise. Fake profiles are created to obtain personal information, trick the user into clicking on dangerous links, or compromise the reputation of the social profile.
Always verify the authenticity of the profile that sends you a friend request:
- Check photos, mutual friends and recent activities;
- Be wary of newly created profiles or those without posts;
- Do not click suspicious or overly generic links sent privately.
What to do if your Facebook account has been hacked
The moment you notice something is wrong — posts made without your consent, friends reporting strange messages to you, sudden changes to your name, profile picture, or email address — you need to take action immediately.
Time is critical: the longer you wait, the greater the risk that a hacker can access personal data, impersonate you to scam other users, or compromise other connected accounts.
1. Go to facebook.com/hacked
Facebook has set up an official page for managing hacked profiles: facebook.com/hacked. Here you will find a wizard that allows you to:
- Report that your Facebook account has been compromised;
- Receive specific instructions based on the type of problem you are experiencing (e.g., stolen password, unauthorized access, content posted by others);
- Initiate temporary account lockout so no one can log in until resolved.
This is the first step to stop the intruder’s action and start recovering your account.
2. Change your password now and verify your authentication
Once you enter the recovery panel, Facebook will ask you to change your password immediately. Make sure that the new password is completely different from the previous one and, if possible, use a password manager to generate it.
Next, make sure two-factor authentication is enabled or re-enable it if it has been disabled. If not, immediately set up a second verification method: SMS, authenticator app, or physical key. This will prevent an intruder from getting back in even if they have your credentials.
Please note: If you are unable to access your account and all your credentials appear to be blocked or changed, use the “I can’t log in” feature on the login page and provide a valid form of identification to Facebook. In any case, it is important to provide an active email that you can check.
3. Revoke suspicious access and unplug untrusted apps
Go to Security & Sign-in Settings, then to the Where you’re signed in section. Here you can:
- View all devices and browsers from which your profile has been opened;
- Disconnect the unknown ones;
- Terminate all active sessions.
Also, in the Apps and websites section you can see which applications are connected to your social profile. If you find any suspicious ones, disconnect them immediately: they could have access to your data or have been used to access your account.
4. Check your email, phone and security settings
Facebook hackers often change recovery methods to make it harder to recover. It is therefore essential to check and correct any changes in settings:
- Primary Email
Make sure it is still the correct one and that no unrecognized emails have been added; - Phone number
Check that it is yours and that there are no suspicious numbers; - Email login password
If the email associated with your Facebook has been compromised, change the password for that as well to prevent the intruder from using it for further attacks; - Trusted Contacts
Set up or update a list of trusted friends who can assist you in the event of a login emergency.
5. Report the incident to the Postal Police
If your Facebook profile has been hacked and used for scams, threats or theft of personal data, we recommend that you report the problem to the Postal Police. This is not just a formal gesture: if someone has impersonated your identity, asked your friends for money or published illegal content, you are potentially the victim of a crime. Bring with you:
- Screenshot of suspicious activities;
- Copy of notification emails received from Facebook;
- Any conversations or evidence of the fraudulent requests;
- Identification.
The complaint will allow the Postal Police to investigate and, in some cases, collaborate with Meta (Facebook) to obtain access to the logs and identify the author of the intrusion.
6. Notify friends and family
If you suspect your account has been compromised, notify your contacts immediately. The hacker might:
- Sending scam messages pretending to be you;
- Asking for money or personal information;
- Spreading dangerous links that compromise other profiles.
Informing your friends helps them avoid being tricked into reporting your account as compromised. This increases the chance that Facebook will detect it as anomalous and limit its functionality until it is resolved.
7. Restore content and monitor in the following days
Once you regain access, carefully review:
- Posts published;
- Comments left;
- Profile changes;
- Activity in managed groups and pages.
In some cases, the hacker may have added malicious content or changed your public image. Clean up anything you don’t recognize, remove suspicious tags, and reset your profile visibility settings.
Over the next few days, monitor account activity to ensure there are no new login attempts. Enable email notifications for each new login, and consider using an up-to-date antivirus on the device you use to log in to Facebook as well.
Watch out for the signs: how to tell if your account is at risk
Even if your profile appears to be functioning normally, there are signs that indicate a possible compromise:
- You have received login emails from unknown locations;
- Some friends are reporting strange messages sent from your profile;
- See published posts that you don’t recognize;
- Your profile picture or name has been changed.
In these cases, it is likely that your account has been compromised by someone who can access it through a stolen session or an app with elevated permissions. Act promptly.
How to report scams and fake accounts
In addition to protecting yourself, it is important to help keep other users safe. If you spot a suspicious profile, deceptive post, or scam, you can report the issue directly:
- By clicking on the three dots on the post or profile;
- By selecting “Find support or report profile”;
- By choosing the reason (e.g. Fake profile, Scam, Harmful content).
Facebook will analyze the report and, if confirmed, take action. This type of collaboration between users is crucial to increasing the degree of safe access to the platform.
Facebook security 2025, a shared responsibility
security 2025 does not only depend on algorithms and technical updates, but also on user behavior. Knowing how to protect your Facebook account, avoiding common mistakes and recognizing warning signs protects you from Facebook hackers and online scammers.
Every step, from creating strong passwords to using two-factor authentication, from managing sessions to reporting the problem to the relevant authorities, represents a step towards building a safer environment for everyone.
In case of compromise, do not hesitate to contact the Postal Police and use official channels. Your social profile is your business card in the digital world: protect it carefully.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know if my Facebook account has been hacked?
You will notice logins from unknown devices, automatically sent messages or changes in the profile. - What is the first thing to do if my Facebook account has been hacked?
Go to facebook.com/hacked, change your password, and enable two-factor authentication. - Is two-factor authentication really effective?
Yes, it is one of the safest methods to prevent unauthorized access, even in case of password theft. - Is it safe to accept friend requests from strangers?
No, it is a risky practice: they are often fake profiles created to scam or spread malware. - How do I choose a secure password for Facebook?
Use capital letters, numbers and symbols; avoid birth dates and common words. - Can I use the same password for multiple accounts?
No, each account must have a different password to avoid chain attacks. - How do I report a fake profile on Facebook?
From the suspicious profile, click on “More” and then “Find support or report profile”. - Does Facebook notify me if someone tries to log in to my account?
Yes, you will receive a notification and email if you log in from a new device. - Is it useful to report thefts to the Postal Police?
Yes, especially if personal or financial data has been compromised. - Can scammers access my data even without a password?
Yes, if you use unsecured devices or click on malicious links, they can steal your access tokens.
