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Top 7 Secure Ways to Protect Your Facebook and Twitter Accounts
Method 1: Utilize Lockscreen to the Fullest on Your Devices
Remember to set up lock screens to secure your computer and phone screens when not in use. This method helps prevent and mitigate potential physical attacks, primarily aimed at reducing pranks. Ensure to use strong, difficult-to-guess passwords or biometrics to protect your devices, and avoid using birthdates as passwords, as they can be easily guessed by others.
Method 2: Employ Strong, Unpredictable Passwords and 2-Factor Authentication
By utilizing strong, unpredictable passwords and implementing two-factor authentication, you can effectively 'lock down' and safeguard your accounts. One of the simplest ways attackers may gain access to your accounts is through leaked login information. Therefore, to prevent other accounts from being compromised, the solution is to use different passwords for different accounts, or one password per account. If you happen to set easily guessable passwords for Facebook or Twitter, it's advisable to change your Facebook password to something more complex, and similarly for Twitter.
Setting up two-factor authentication for your accounts adds an extra layer of security. Even if an attacker obtains your password, they won't be able to access your account without the verification code sent to your registered phone number. Check out how to secure your Facebook account with two-factor authentication here.
To enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account, navigate to Settings => Security and Login => Two-Factor Authentication. Then, input your password to confirm the change and activate two-factor authentication. You can choose to receive verification codes via SMS or use authentication apps like Google Authenticator.
To activate two-factor authentication for your Twitter account, go to Settings and Privacy => Account. In the Security section, select Review your login verification methods. After entering your password, you can access the Login verification screen where you can choose your preferred method of receiving verification codes.
In addition to using strong, unpredictable passwords, employing two-factor authentication is also a solution to prevent potential attackers from hijacking your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Method 3: Remote Account Control
Facebook offers several options for users to manage their accounts remotely. In the Settings => Security and Login section, you can view all the devices your account is logged into and their respective locations. If you notice any suspicious activity or unrecognized devices, click the icon on the right to remotely log out of your account or report it as impersonation accessing your account. For detailed instructions, see how to remotely log out of Facebook here.
Scroll down to the Get alerts about unrecognized logins section and enable this feature. This way, you'll receive notifications via Messenger, email, or Facebook whenever someone attempts to access your account from an unrecognized browser.
Twitter does not provide this feature for users; instead, users can opt for two-factor authentication to protect their accounts.
Method 4: Limiting Access Permissions for Third-Party Apps
Although unpredictable, attackers can still compromise your social media accounts through third-party services and apps with access permissions. Therefore, you should carefully review third-party apps with access to your account, such as quiz apps, and delete them. You cannot anticipate how much data these apps may collect, often more than you think.
On Facebook, navigate to Settings =>Apps and Websites to view and manage external services with access to your Facebook account, and remove these apps.
On Twitter, go to Settings and Privacy =>Apps to view and edit the list.
Method 5: Check Device Access Permissions
Another method is to review the services allowed on each of your devices, such as Facebook and Twitter. You may have blocked Facebook from accessing your location on your phone but inadvertently allowed the app to access location on your tablet. This data should be securely protected on accounts secured by strong passwords and two-factor authentication. If you don't want the service to collect data, you can turn it off.
On Android devices, navigate to Settings =>Apps, then click the menu icon at the top right corner of the screen, select App permissions.
On iOS devices, go to Settings =>Privacy to manage and allow which services have access to which items on the device. Also, within the Settings menu, scroll down to review the permissions listed for each service you use.
Method 6: Limit the Amount of Personal Data on Accounts
You should also consider limiting the amount of personal data, such as email addresses, phone numbers, etc., added to social media accounts to avoid potential attackers discovering and using them for unauthorized access.
While not a perfect security solution, at least this solution contributes somewhat to minimizing and preventing unauthorized attacks on social media accounts.
Method 7: Additional Strategies
Below are some alternative methods to ensure the safety of your Facebook and Twitter accounts:
- The initial solution involves installing and utilizing a password manager.
- Implement two-factor authentication, prioritizing the use of Google Authenticator over SMS for enhanced security measures.
- Delete your account if you no longer need it; you can learn how to delete your Facebook account or how to delete your Twitter account as Mytour has instructed.
The cover article on Mytour just guided you through 7 ways to secure your Facebook and Twitter accounts. By applying these solutions, you no longer have to worry about unauthorized access and hijacking of your social media accounts. Wishing you success!
