Do you receive suspicious messages, or encounter individuals claiming that your Facebook profile has been deleted? At times, you might receive messages from close friends and family members requesting assistance, such as sending money to an account. 

Often these messages can be convincing, or even persistent but it’s essential to be on the ball and not easily deceived. Scammers are crafty, constantly continually improving their tactics, meaning that vigilance is crucial. 

For a business owner especially, you must be extra careful as you could lose access to your Facebook pages, leaving the hackers to post anything on behalf of your business, and if you have an ad account you could be paying for additional ads to run. 

Worst case scenario? You lose access to your accounts forever, and all that hard work building a social media presence is gone overnight *in a cloud of smoke*

Here are six valuable tips to help you navigate Facebook safely, guarding against potential hacking or fraudulent schemes.

1. Not all links are safe

   Be careful when you click on links on Facebook or in messages. Some links are tricky and can lead to fake websites that steal your info or make you download harmful stuff. If you're not sure, it's a good idea to call the person who sent it or ask someone experienced in spotting bad links.

   If you’re on a computer, you can hover (don’t click, just hover) your mouse over the top of the link and you can confirm where it leads. 

   In doubt, never ever click.

   Key Takeaway: Always verify the source of any link before clicking.

   
   

2. Not all friend requests are real

   It's a great feeling when we receive friend requests from old friends, family, or classmates. But did you know that scammers can pretend to be someone you know to trick you? 

   Here's how it works: They send a friend request, you accept, and then they start talking to you, trying to get private information. They might use this information to scam or threaten you. So, it's important not to accept friend requests from people you don't recognize or who haven’t contacted you in a while. 

   Key Takeaway: Be cautious of new friend requests asking for private information!

3. Two-factor authentication is your new best friend

   Enabling two-factor authentication is one of the most effective ways to secure your Facebook account against those nasties trying to gain access. Imagine your Facebook is like a secret room that you want to keep safe. To enter this room, you usually need a key, which is your password.

   Now, imagine if you had a special extra lock on the door. This lock needs a code that changes every few minutes, and you get this code sent to your phone. So, to enter the room, you not only need the key (password) but also the code from your phone.

   That's what we call "two-factor authentication” and this extra lock on your account makes it much harder for bad people to break in, even if they know your password. 

   Here’s a simple way to do that : https://www.facebook.com/help/148233965247823

   Key Takeaway: Add an extra layer of protection to your account.

4. Verify that the person chatting with you is actually the real person

   If you receive a message from someone you're familiar with, like a friend or family member, and they're making strange requests or acting unusually, there could be a problem. It's possible that their Facebook account might have been taken over by someone else, like a hacker. In such situations, it's important to be cautious and take some steps to make sure you're really talking to the person you think you are. Here's what you can do:

   Ask Personal Questions: For instance, you could ask about a recent trip you took together, a favorite childhood memory, or the name of a mutual friend.

   Contact Them Through Another Method: For example, if you received a suspicious message on Facebook, try calling them or sending a message through another messaging app, like WhatsApp or SMS. This way, you can confirm their identity independently of the potentially compromised account.

   Also, they might not be aware of the issue, and your alert can help them take action to secure their account.

   Key Takeaway: Trust your instinct

5. Feeling unsafe? Simply block the account

   There may be instances where you encounter unwanted attention, harassment, or threats from other users. In such cases, Facebook provides a valuable tool to help protect yourself: the ability to block user accounts.

   How to Block Someone:

• Go to the profile of the person you want to block

• On their profile, click the three dots (…) located at the top right corner of the cover photo.

• From the dropdown menu, choose “block”. Facebook will then prompt you to confirm your decision.

• Confirm your choice by clicking “block” again. Once confirmed, the user is blocked, and they will be unaware of your actions.

  Key Takeaway: When you're using Facebook, your online safety and well-being should be of top priority.

6. Got an email that looks true about your Facebook page?

Be cautious of emails that claim to be from Facebook, especially if they ask for your login credentials or personal information. Check the sender's email address carefully to ensure it's an official Facebook domain (e.g., "@facebook.com"), pay careful attention to the spelling, and the actual email address (not just the name of the email address)When in doubt, visit Facebook's official website directly and log in from there rather than clicking on email links. Always approach emails that appear to be from Facebook with caution, particularly if they request your login credentials, personal information, or financial details. Legitimate communications from Facebook typically do not ask for such information via email.

Key Takeaway:  Hacking becomes possible when there are openings for it. 

Remember that online safety and security are ongoing practices. Stay informed about the latest threats and follow these guidelines to protect yourself and your Facebook account from potential risks and scams.