I occasionally (now frequently) see a friend post that their Facebook account has been hacked. Well, here are some simple steps to follow to better secure your Facebook (FB) account from compromise, especially if you have your FB account tied to other applications and services with Facebook Integrated Login. I recommend only doing the integrated login sparingly, because if your FB account gets compromised, then so does login access to all the other associated apps and services.
Go to Settings -> Security and Login and scroll down to the Two-Factor Authentication section:
From there, click on the Edit button:
The click on the Get Started button, you the have a option to Choose a Security Method. I highly recommend choosing Authentication App as your primary method, because it is more secure than SMS text messaging (search SIM Jacking on the Internet and see why) and the click on the Next button:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/account/authenticator
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2&hl=en_US
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-authenticator/id388497605
Launch the Authenticator App of your choice from your mobile device and scan the QR Code. The app with add the FB account info. Click the Next button:
From there the next screen will ask you to enter the code from the Authenticator App to verify. Click Next and you should see the following:
Next Add a Backup method, I chose Text Message in this case, since it is a backup method. Once completed it should look something like this:
Your Two-Factor Authentication settings should now show On for the status. I also recommend enabling the Get alerts about unrecognized logins in the Setting Up Extra Security section:
This should greatly reduce the risk of having your Facebook account compromised.
Darren Brinksneader is President and Chief Strategist of The Information Strategists. Darren has been a consultant, trainer and public speaker in the IT industry for nearly 30 years, providing expertise and solutions for both private and public sector organizations.