Hackers can access your Facebook account....unless you secure your account today

For many Australian seniors, social media has become a lifeline to family and friends.

But behind every like, comment, and shared memory lurked a growing threat.

Could your account be at risk without you even knowing?

With more than 1.9 million users over 65 in Australia, social media was no longer just for the young.

Yet, the rise in cybercrime had turned these connections into potential vulnerabilities.

Between 2021 and 2022, the number of hijacked social media accounts surged by 1,000 per cent, and one in five accounts faced hacking attempts annually.

Cybercriminals saw seniors as particularly valuable targets.

Australian users clicked an average of 22 adverts per month—almost double the global average—making compromised accounts profitable.

Older users often had established networks and financial resources, which scammers could exploit for fraud or identity theft.

Hackers aimed to monetise stolen identities, impersonate victims to scam friends, or lock users out to cause distress.

Spotting a breach early could prevent long-term damage.

Weak or reused passwords caused 80 per cent of breaches, but attackers had grown more sophisticated.

Signs included profile changes you didn’t make, unusual messages or posts, security alerts about password or two-factor authentication changes, and unfamiliar devices logging in at odd hours.

If you suspected your account was compromised, immediate action was crucial.

The first step was visiting the official recovery page at socialmedia.com/hacked, ideally using a familiar device and browser.

Email notifications from social media provided reversal links to lock out attackers, and the identification tool at socialmedia.com/login/identify helped locate accounts if recovery details had been changed.

When locked out completely, users were prompted to provide new recovery details, submit ID, or answer account-specific questions.

Completing these steps on a recognised device improved chances of regaining access.

After recovery, securing the account was paramount.

Changing passwords, cleaning up login sessions, reviewing app permissions, and setting up two-factor authentication were critical.

Password managers and authentication apps like Google Authenticator offered stronger protection than SMS.

Prevention remained the best defence.

Unique passwords, caution with suspicious links, up-to-date recovery details, and limiting personal information shared online reduced the risk of future attacks.

Seniors who used multiple connected platforms needed to be aware that compromised credentials could extend beyond social media.

Fortunately, some apps remained largely separate, but accounts linked to social media logins still required careful review.

Asking for help was not a weakness.

Trusted family, friends, or community volunteers could provide guidance or moral support during recovery.

Have you noticed unusual activity on your social media account, and what steps did you take to protect it?