With over 2.8 billion users, Facebook and its sister company, Instagram, have become primary targets for hackers. Having one’s social media account compromised is no small ordeal. Your personal information, confidential messages, and the trust of your friends and followers are all at stake if someone gains unauthorized access to your accounts.

How to Find Out if Your Accounts Have Been Hacked:

1. Unrecognized activities: Check for posts, messages, or friend requests you did not send.
2. Login alerts: Most social platforms send notifications for unusual login activity.
3. Password issues: If your password no longer works and you didn’t change it, it’s a red flag.
4. Account details changed: Hackers may alter your contact info, making it hard to recover the account.
5. Friends complaining: If friends report spammy behaviours originating from your account that you didn’t do, this could be a sign.

What to Do if You’ve Been Hacked:

1. Act quickly: If you suspect malicious activity, react immediately to secure your account.
2. Change passwords: Create a new strong password that is a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.
3. Check account details: Ensure email and mobile number linked to the account are accurate.
4. Revoke permissions: In ‘Settings’, remove unrecognised devices or third-party apps with access to your account.
5. Inform friends and followers: Alert them not to click on suspicious links that may appear to be sent from your account.
6. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your mobile device to log in.
7. Report to the platform: Both Facebook and Instagram have tools for reporting hacked accounts.
8. Contact authorities if necessary: If sensitive information is at risk, involve law enforcement.

In conclusion, by remaining vigilant about checking for signs of unauthorized access and understanding what steps to take if hacked, you can protect not just yourself but also those in your network from further damage. Remember, security is an ongoing process; keep updating your knowledge about online threats and defenses to stay ahead of hackers.