How can I Prevent my Facebook account from being hacked?

By -

Facebook is not just an entertainment medium for most of us lately, it’s much more, with over 53 million users in India alone and with tremendous growth Facebook has become a virtual world for most of us, it helps us to stay in touch with our friends, relatives, teachers whom we might not be able to meet for years without FB.  Your FB account means a lot to you and you agree to it. What if some hacker breaks into your account and devastates everything, or your personal info is revealed to someone, as it is. 

This post goes to help you protect your account, as we know “Precaution is better than cure”.


Say ‘Hi’ to HTTPs:
Https is a secure protocol because it is combination of http and SSL/ TLS which means that your data is transmitted over http in encrypted format, so it makes very hard for intruder to read your information which is being transmitted over Internet, so the tools like firesheep won’t be able to hack your account.
To enable http go to your “Account settings” of your fb account, click on “Secure Browsing”, tick “Browse Facebook on a secure connection (https) when possible”.

One Time Password:
This is another extremely intelligent Opt-in feature of facebook that keeps you protected from keyloggers and RATS, whenever you are using a public computer on cyber café, hotel or any other place, you can ask for a “one time password” from facebook. If you belong to U.S. send “opt” to 32665 (FBOOK), for Indian users, can send “opt”, to number according your operator given below, you will shortly receive an 8 character long password that will be accessible for next 20 minutes. if your operator is not enlisted, wait for some time. Facebook is committed to make this feature available for everyone around the world.
Tata Indicom:  51555
Webaroo:  9232232665
Aircel India:  51555
Videocon:  51555   
For other countries outside US check whether your operators supports this feature here.


Enable Login Notifications:
When you enable login notifications, you will be notified via SMS or/and email whenever someone logs in into your account from an unknown device. This feature is indeed handful to protect your account.



Prevention against DNS spoofing:
Go to C:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/ right click on the “host” file click properties and check “Read only”.


Security lies within you:
The best way to keep a thief away is to know the ways from where he can enter into the building. So in current scenario the best way is to keep yourself updated with the knowledge of cyber space. Here are few things to keep in your mind:
  1. Avoid Phishing: NEVER EVER give your credentials if FB asks you to do so via email, because FB will never do so, but a hacker will definitely do.
  2. Avoid Keyloggers and RATS: Always have an updated antivirus in your PC.
  3. Avoid doxing:  Keep your personal information as much private as possible, don’t add strangers to your friend list.
  4. Use KeyScrambler, it helps you to protect yourself against keyloggers.