Facebook (stylized as facebook) is an American online social media and social networking service which allows users, who sign-up for free profiles, to connect with their family and friends online easily. It allows users to share pictures, music, videos, and articles, as well as their own thoughts and opinions with however many people they like.
Today, Facebook is the world’s largest social network, with more than 1 billion users worldwide.
- Enable two factor authentication
By using security features provided by Facebook, users will be able to secure their accounts further. The most popular option would be enabling two factor authentication for Facebook.
- Click on the down arrow on top right-side corner of the Facebook Home Page as below.
- Go to ‘Settings and Privacy’ option
- Select ‘Settings option
- Select ‘Security and Login’ option and go to ‘Use two-factor Authentication’ and click ‘Edit’.
- Select ‘Text Message’ option to get the security code.
- Provide a mobile number and click ‘Continue’ A 6 digits security code will be received to the given mobile number.
- Enter the received 6 digits code and click continue. This 6 digit code will be asked when login to the Facebook with a new device.
It is advised to edit privacy on your profile, posts, activities and your friend lists to control who can see your personal details(email, contact number, birthday) and control access to your posts.
- Click on the down arrow on top right side corner of the Facebook Home Page as below.
- Go to ‘Settings and Privacy’ option
- Select ‘Settings option
- Select ‘Privacy’ option and go to relevant option and click ‘Edit’ to change privacy.
At least one of your photos has to be misused to call it an Impersonate account. If you see an account that’s pretending to be you, someone you know or a public figure (example: celebrity, politician) Facebook Inc has encouraged the users to let them know.
What can I do?
- The victim can try resetting password by requesting a code for the phone number or email using the following link Hacked
- Then click on the ‘My Account is Compromised’ to report the comprised account
- Give your email or the relevant phone number to find your account and then click ‘Search’
- Enter the last password of your compromised Facebook account and then click ‘Continue’
- If the password is correct you will be directed to your Facebook account. If the password is changed, you will be getting a new password reset code to your mail, once you click ‘continue’
- Enter the 6-digit passcode and then click ‘continue’
- Create a new password for your account
- Use the following link to report Privacy violation. Report a privacy violation
- Or else, search “Report privacy violation on Facebook” on google and then click the highlighted link as follows.
- Fill out the form according to the privacy violation and then send Facebook to review
- Click on the 3 dots (…) on the top right side of the post.
- Select the relevant options regarding the post and click next.
- Select relevant options and then click ‘Done’ to complete reporting.
To block any Facebook account.
- Search the profile that you want to block and click the drop down list below to the cover photo and then select ‘Block’ option.
- Click ‘Confirm’ to block the account.
To find the person behind an imposter account you have to send a court order in English language to the Facebook. Facebook will only provide the necessary
information to
authorized person or authorized law enforcement agency.
- Type the following link in the browser Law Enforcement Online Requests
- Tick the statement I am an authorized law enforcement agent government employee investigating an emergency and this is an official request’ and click on ‘Request access’
- Provide an official email of a low enforcement agent to receive a unique link to low enforcement online request system. The link is valid only one hour
- Facebook will send a link to the given email as shown below.
- After clicking the link, you will be directed to a page as shown below. Provide the necessary information and the then submit the form
- You will be directed to the portal where you have to upload the court order
- Enter the case number to the slot labeled as ‘Internal Case Reference Number’
- Select ‘Court Order/Request (Outside US) for ‘Legal Process’
- ‘Nature of Case’ is to describe what the case is for (ex: Child Abuse )
- To ‘Legal Process signed date’ enter the date of the day of the court order issued and for ‘Request Due Date’ enter the deadline. You have to submit the link of the particular Facebook account. Facebook will be storing the data of that account for 90 days.
- Attach the court order and other documents to the Documentation slot. Tick the statement ‘I am a law enforcement agent authorized to request account records and all the information I have provided is accurate’ and then submit to the Facebook.
- This is the format of the court order that would be sent to Facebook.