Can Facebook Messenger Get Hacked? How to Keep Your Account Safe
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Can Facebook Messenger get hacked? Just ask Louise Manning from Australia.
When she got a message from an old friend on her Facebook Messenger app asking for her phone number, she thought nothing of it. She assumed they wanted to get back in touch and so gave it to them.
But before she knew it, she was locked out of her Facebook account. In the end, her account was deleted by Meta after it was reported for suspicious activity by some of her contacts.
She lost 20 years of photos with family and friends.
Having your Facebook Messenger account hacked can be devastating. This article explains the threats facing users and how you can keep your account safe.
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How Secure Is Facebook Messenger?
Facebook Messenger has several security features to keep your messages safe, including:
- End-to-end encryption: Ensures only you and the person you sent the Facebook message to can read it. If anyone tries to intercept the message, they’ll just see random letters and numbers.
- Login alerts: Tells you when someone logs into your account. If you haven’t logged in and you get one, it could be a sign that someone is trying to hack you.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring not only your password but also a second verification step when logging in, such as a code sent via SMS or generated by an authentication app.
However, despite these protections, Messenger is still tied to your main Facebook account. So if that account is compromised, your private chats could be at risk too.
How Hackers Can Access Your Messenger Account
Hackers use a variety of tactics to gain access to Facebook Messenger accounts. Understanding these methods can help you recognize potential cyber threats and take steps to safeguard your privacy.
Phishing attacks
This is when fake login pages are used to steal your credentials. They are one of the most common ways hackers access Facebook Messenger accounts.
A typical phishing scam involves sending fake emails, texts, or messages that appear to be from Facebook or a trusted source. These phishing messages often contain malicious links to fraudulent websites designed to look like Facebook’s login page.
Once you enter your credentials, the hackers capture your information and gain full access to your account.
Weak passwords and data leaks
Using a weak or reused password puts your Messenger account at risk. Hackers can guess common passwords like “password1” or use software to systematically try every possible combination of characters until they find the right password.
Hackers also exploit leaked credentials from data breaches, testing these passwords on multiple accounts—this is known as “credential stuffing”.
If your Facebook password isn’t unique, a breach on another platform could leave your Messenger vulnerable.
Malware and spyware infections
Malware and spyware are harmful programs designed to infiltrate your device—often without your consent. Malware can damage systems or steal data, while spyware silently monitors your activity to collect personal information, such as your Facebook login credentials.
Hackers often disguise this software as legitimate apps, email attachments, or downloads. Once installed, it can log keystrokes, track browsing habits, and access saved login details.
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Social engineering
This is when someone attempts to fool you into revealing your personal data or taking an action that may compromise your accounts. Hackers often exploit human psychology through social engineering tactics.
They might impersonate someone you trust, like a friend or family member, and ask for sensitive details. For example, a hacker might claim they’ve lost access to their account and need your help to retrieve it.
Warning Signs Your Facebook Messenger May Be Hacked
Spotting the warning signs of a hacked Facebook Messenger account early can help you take swift action to minimize damage. Here are some key indicators to watch for:
Unusual account activity
If friends or contacts report receiving strange messages from your account—such as spam links or unusual requests—it’s a strong indicator that someone has hacked into your Messenger.
Similarly, keep an eye out for changes to your account, like altered profile information or messages sent without your knowledge. These are classic signs of unauthorized access.
Unauthorized logins from unknown devices
Facebook allows you to view all devices currently logged into your account. If you notice unfamiliar devices or suspicious logins from unknown locations, your account may have been breached.
Security alerts and notifications from Facebook
Facebook actively monitors suspicious activity on accounts and sends alerts for unusual login attempts or security breaches. You might receive a notification about a login from an unrecognized device or an unfamiliar location.
What to Do if Your Messenger Account Is Hacked
If you suspect your Facebook Messenger account has been hacked, acting quickly is essential to regain control and prevent further damage. Follow these steps to secure your account:
1️⃣ Change your password immediately
Use a complex, unique password for Facebook that includes a range of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.
Avoid using personal information like names or birthdays and don’t reuse it across other services. Here’s how to change your password:
- Tap the menu button in the top left of the Facebook app.
- Scroll down to Settings & privacy and tap Settings.
- Tap Accounts Center.
- Select Password and security.
- Tap Change password.
- Choose your account.
- Change your password.
Fig 1. Changing the password to a Facebook account
2️⃣ Review and remove suspicious devices
You can also use the Accounts Center to see all devices that your Facebook and Messenger accounts are logged in on. You can review these devices and remove those that seem suspicious.
This action prevents hackers from maintaining access to your account while you secure it—just remember to change your password or they will be able to log back in again.
Here’s how to do it:
- From the Accounts Center choose Password and security.
- Tap Where you’re logged in: This will show all devices your Facebook account is currently logged in on.
- Choose your account.
- You’ll be shown a list of devices that have been used to log in to your account and when they last did so. Look for any suspicious-looking devices.
- Scroll down and tap Select devices to log out.
- Tick any suspicious devices and tap Log out.
Fig 2. Logging out a suspicious device from Facebook.
3️⃣ Enable 2FA
2FA makes it incredibly difficult for hackers to access your account, even if they have your password.
You’ll also get a notification when someone tries to get into your account, so you’ll know if someone is attempting to hack you.
You can switch on 2FA in the Accounts Center. Here’s how:
- Tap Password and security.
- Choose Two-factor authentication.
- Select your account.
- Facebook will send a code to your email and ask you to enter it to confirm it is you.
- Choose your preferred 2FA method.
Fig 3. Enabling 2FA on Facebook
4️⃣ Report the issue to Facebook
Use Facebook’s Help Center to report the breach. Facebook provides tools to help you recover your account and investigate unauthorized access. Reporting the issue also helps prevent the hacker from exploiting your account further.
If you have been hacked:
- Visit Facebook’s Hacked Account Help Center at www.facebook.com/hacked.
- Choose one of the options and follow the steps to secure your account.
Fig 4. Reporting a compromised account on the Facebook Hacked Help Center
If you receive a suspicious message from someone:
- In Messenger, open the chat with the suspicious user or hacker.
- Tap the person’s name at the top of the chat window to view their profile options.
- Scroll down and tap Something’s Wrong or Report.
- Follow the prompts to report the issue (e.g., phishing, impersonation, or hacking).
Fig 5. Reporting a user on Facebook
5️⃣ Scan your device for spyware
Hackers might have accessed your account through malware or spyware on your device.
Use a trusted anti-spyware tool like Certo AntiSpy for iPhone and Android to scan for and remove malicious software. Regular scans are crucial to ensure your device remains secure in the future.
Fig 6. Detecting spyware with Certo for Android.
How to Protect your Messenger Account From Hackers
Proactively securing your Messenger account can significantly reduce the risk of being hacked. Here are five essential practices to keep your account safe:
- Use a password manager: This can help you create and store complex passwords securely. Browsers often come with free password managers, or providers like NordPass offer paid-for software with more features.
- Avoid logging into public Wi-Fi: Always be wary of public Wi-Fi. For extra protection, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic.
- Verify people’s identities: Always verify the identity of someone asking for sensitive information through online platforms. Legitimate communications from Facebook will never ask for your password or personal information via email or messages.
- Don’t click suspicious links: Always double-check URLs and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments even if they appear to come from a friend’s account or Facebook itself. Avoid downloading apps or files from untrusted sources.
- Regularly review your security settings: Periodically check your Facebook security settings to identify potential vulnerabilities. Review devices logged into your account, update your password, and ensure 2FA is enabled. Doing this helps catch issues before they become problems.
Wrapping Up
Facebook Messenger is a popular target for hackers, but by staying proactive, you can protect your account.
While Messenger offers security features like two-factor authentication and encryption, you should also regularly review your account activity, create strong passwords, and remain cautious of phishing scams and malware.
If you notice any suspicious activity, act quickly by changing your password, logging out of unfamiliar devices, and reporting the issue to Facebook.
Fueled by his passion for technology, Chris leverages his expertise to raise awareness about the evolving cyber threats in the digital landscape. With an in-depth understanding of tech trends and consumer behavior, he's committed to making the digital world safer for everyone.