Q2 • 2023


INSIGHTS By Mari Smith


To ensure your Facebook account is super solid, safe, and secure, navigate on desktop or mobile to your Facebook settings and follow these steps.


STEP #1


Set up two-factor or multifactor authentication.


2FA (two-factor authentication) or MFA (multifactor authentication) is an absolute MUST. In fact, get this: if you’re running ads, your ads will quite possibly perform better so long as


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EVERY admin of your Page has 2FA set up. This is the most critical step. And, not only


that, you might even see ever-so-slightly better organic reach so long as every admin of your Page has 2FA set up! Yes, it’s that vital! So, get ’er done, my friends! You can access 2FA under your Security and


Login settings. Most people use SMS to receive a code via


text message. BUT that is actually not the most secure way to set up 2FA, as phone numbers can be spoofed. Ugh, I know, right?! So, for optimal security, it’s much more


effective to use an authentication app. I cannot stress this strongly enough! Google Authenticator and Duo Mobile are among the top authentication apps. Both are available on iOS and Android. If you’re not a techie and find it confusing


to have a separate mobile app that generates codes for you to log in to your vital sites, please get some help from a trusted person who understands this process. It’s really not that difficult, though!


STEP #2


Only use long and cryptic passwords.


Ensure your password is long and cryptic. If you can remember your password (for


anything!), it’s not cryptic enough. So long as you are using a strong


password—along with 2FA—you shouldn’t need to change your password that often. However, some security experts suggest changing your password every few months.


STEP #3


Set up a USB security key for maximum security.


For the strongest security, ALSO set up a USB security key. For more information, suggested devices, and instructions, you can find the very helpful article “What Is a USB Security Key, and How Do You Use It?” on the website Tom’s Guide (tomsguide.com/news/usb-security-key).


STEP #4


Always use a trusted password manager tool.


Do not ever rely on your memory or a nonsecure way of logging passwords. Always use a reputable password manager tool, e.g., 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, or Keeper.


STEP #5


Do not share your log-in credentials.


Never ever share your log-in credentials with anyone, for any reason. To share access to your Facebook business


Page, use Meta Business Manager or Meta Business Suite and add admins with appropriate roles, ensuring they also have 2FA set up.


STEP #6


Enable log-in alerts. Set up extra security by enabling “Get


alerts about unrecognized logins.” Select to receive notifications on Facebook and by email. NOTE: Facebook used to have the option to get log-in alerts via Messenger and/or SMS, but those two options are going away. Instead, only


NEWS | REVIEWS | IDEAS | OPINION |


12 Action Steps to Secure Your Facebook Account


in-app notifications and email are options, which is still just fine!


STEP #7


Check logged-in sessions. Periodically check your logged-in


sessions and remove any that you no longer need. This is especially vital if you ever use a public or shared computer to access your Facebook account.


STEP #8


Review connected apps and websites.


Under Settings, periodically check which apps and websites are connected to your Facebook account and still have active access. Remove any you no longer need or use.


STEP #9


Review your business integrations.


Regularly review your business integrations— these are apps and services that you’ve used Facebook to log into. Again, remove any you no longer need or use.


STEP #10


Large following? Consider hiding your friends/followers.


You might want to hide your friends and followers on your personal profile if you have a large number of them. The setting is under the three dots on your Friends or Followers tab. This is particularly important for profiles that get impersonated, as it looks very enticing to a scammer who would want to act as you and try to scam your entire network. (Side note: the new Meta Verified subscription service includes proactive impersonation protection if that’s important to you.) The bad actors create a new account with a name that looks very close to yours; they’ll use your profile picture, send friend requests to all your publicly visible friends, and then spam them with scam links. This icky scam was very prevalent on Instagram for the longest time, causing some account owners to switch to private accounts. If your account ever does get impersonated


on Facebook and/or Instagram (not hacked, but impersonated with a new or similar account name), all you can do is report the offending


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