What Happens If An Account is Hacked

Every social media manager’s worst nightmare happened to me last week.

My Facebook account was hacked, and I lost access to it. Including all of my client accounts. To say it was devastating is an understatement, never mind the fact that I had 18 long years of content on my personal Facebook page - my university was an original 12 so I was the first of all my pals to join the platform back when it was “the Facebook” in 2004.

It happened on Thursday I was perusing Instagram and got a popup that someone somewhere was trying to access my account. I immediately denied the request and changed my password. Then I was on Facebook, about to change my password, and set up 2FA, and boom I was locked out. Logged out of all instances including the app, every browser, and messenger.

The whole experience has given me a big insight into some SOPs that needed to be created ASAP and how to advise clients if anything happens to them.

So first things first, I recommend doing regular checks on your account. Who has access, and who NEEDS access? When was the last time you changed your password? Are you using the same password? Then do a check-up on your settings - across the board on all accounts but especially Facebook, Instagram, and any others you use regularly.

1. Are you using a 2-Factor Authenticator?
   Sadly, I was not. I just hadn’t set one up for Facebook - I had text messages as my authenticator. I do have a 2FA set up for Instagram and most other networks that I regularly use though. But 2FA is the best way to protect your social media accounts so make sure your profiles are secure.

2. Have a backup Admin
   The worst part of this is I had no other admin for my business page. So I have not been able to access that, in hind sight I should have made Hubs a backup admin - not just to my page but also to my business manager and business page. Had I had this, I would have easily been able to connect the new account with my clients’ accounts.

3. If you are hacked, go to support.
   I immediately reached out to Facebook support. A colleague/client/mentor of mine recommended this post because at first (and it still feels this way) I thought it may have been a glitch in the system.
   On Facebook help: www.facebook.com/hacked.
   On Instagram: help.instagram.com/368191326593075

   On Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/56363/reporting-a-compromised-account

4. Don’t fall for scammers
   Guilty. $250ish later, after two attempts for this dark web hacker to override Facebook, and a $500 ask, I threw my hands up. His promise was guaranteed - if I could pay, which I just was not willing to do. I’m sure there are some legit hackers out there, but don’t fall for the spammy posters who will inevitably comment on every post you write about. If you are hacked, go through legitimate channels to regain access.

5. Have a backup plan if you can’t get access back

   I quickly realized Sunday that getting my accounts back was NOT going to be easy or happen in a timely manner. So, I set up a new Facebook account because I knew I needed to get access back to client accounts. While yes, my 18 years of content matters to me, more than that, my clients are my bread and butter since they pay my bills. Me getting hacked isn't their problem, so in order to continue on posting, I wanted to ensure a smooth continuity here.

   I don’t wish getting hacked on my worst enemy - the emotions, the anxiety, the number of hoops to go through to regain access is just numbing. Taking precautionary steps to lock down your accounts and have backup admins on your business pages is a surefire way to protect YOURS and your business’s online identity. Need help or need an audit of your accounts? Get in touch!