Have you ever wondered what would happen if you lost your Facebook account overnight? Some of us think this is not a hypothetical but a harsh reality. In fact, their accounts are often hacked by Vietnamese cybercriminals and used for various shady purposes or sold on the black market.
This growing problem affects millions of Facebook members, exposing them to identity theft, financial loss, emotional distress, and many other problems. And sadly, relying on Facebook for direct support when a crime occurs can be very difficult, forcing you to follow do-it-yourself solutions that are complicated and often unhelpful.
Hackers use a variety of methods to access your Facebook account. (CyberGuy.com)
Read more: This Facebook Messenger phishing scam is stealing millions of passwords
How do hackers steal Facebook accounts?
There are various methods hackers use to access your Facebook account, including exploiting weak passwords, but one of the most common and effective methods is called “cookie theft.”
Cookies are small pieces Data that a website stores in your browser to remember your preferences and login information. For example, when you visit Facebook, we create a cookie that allows you to stay logged in without having to enter your password each time.
However, cookies can also be stolen by hackers using malicious software. Phishing techniques To make you click on a link or download a file Contains malware.
Once you have these cookies, you can use them to log into your account from anywhere in the world without needing a password or verification code. Your password and security settings will then be changed, making it difficult to recover your account.
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How Vietnamese hackers used stolen cookies and fake emails to take over meta accounts
You might think hacking someone’s Facebook account would be difficult, but surprisingly, it’s actually quite easy if you know where to look. In some countries, such as Vietnam, stolen cookies and session tokens can be purchased cheaply. These are like digital keys that allow you to access someone’s account without requiring a password. $80 will get him 1,000 cookies.
That’s not all.There are also Telegram channels selling fakes Facebook support email Although these emails appear to be from Facebook or Meta, they are actually from criminal scammers aiming to trick users into gaining more access to their accounts.
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Cookies and stolen session tokens can be purchased relatively cheaply in Vietnam. (CyberGuy.com)
More information: How to avoid falling victim to this sneaky Facebook Marketplace scam
What do hackers do with stolen accounts?
These Vietnamese hackers can use the stolen accounts for different purposes, depending on their motivations and skills. The most common ones are:
scam: Hackers can pretend to be you and send messages to your friends and family, asking for money or personal information. They may also create false posts or advertisements promoting fraudulent or illegal products or services.
scam: Cybercriminals can use your account to make purchases and transactions using linked payment methods, such as credit cards. or PayPal. You can also access other online accounts, such as Amazon or Netflix, that use the same email or phone number as your Facebook account.
resale: Hackers can sell your account black market, Old verified Facebook accounts are in high demand here. These accounts can fetch higher prices than newer accounts because they have more friends, followers, and activity. It can also be used by other hackers and spammers who want to avoid detection and verification.
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Cybercrime can be prevented by protecting personal data. (CyberGuy.com)
More information: Don’t fall for the ‘Who’s dead’ Facebook message trap
Why is this important?
Losing your Facebook account can have serious consequences for you and your loved ones, leading to identity theft, financial loss, and emotional distress.
your personal informationInformation such as names, photos, and dates of birth can be used by cybercriminals to create false identities and documents. They may then use them for illegal activities and fraud, exposing you to the following risks: Identity theft.
Payment method or online account Unauthorized purchases or transactions may be made by hackers. This can cause financial losses by depleting your funds or damaging your credit score.
your precious memories, Photos, videos, and more that you save on your Facebook account can be deleted or altered by hackers. They may also harass or intimidate you or your contacts, causing fear or anxiety. This definitely affects your emotional well-being and mental health.
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To recover your account, visit Facebook[アカウントを忘れた場合]Click. (CyberGuy.com)
Read more: Sure steps to protect your Facebook account from hackers
What to do if you’re locked out of your account
If you can’t log in, you may find that your account has been compromised by a hacker, or you may remain logged in to your account and notice red flags, such as posts you didn’t create. If you’ve already been hacked, follow these steps:
- The first step is to check whether you still have access to the phone number or email that you set up your Facebook account with.
- If this happens, make sure you’re logged out of your other accounts and go to facebook.com.[アカウントを忘れた場合]Click.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to receive a recovery link to your email or phone number.
If you don’t have access to the phone number or email associated with your Facebook account, please visit: facebook.com/login/identify.Fill out the form to start using Facebook Please review your account Answer a few security questions to prove that the account you’re trying to recover is yours. In some cases, you may be required to show identification, such as a photo of your driver’s license. We understand that you may be hesitant to upload your ID, but Facebook says these uploads are encrypted and stored securely.
Unfortunately, those who fall prey to these Facebook scams often feel ignored by the meta. As mentioned above, there are ways to report such breaches, but they often fall short. I have received countless emails from individuals expressing their dissatisfaction. I also experienced the shortcomings of these support channels when dealing with my girlfriend’s Facebook issue. Knowing this, We emphasize that you should proactively take the following steps to prevent your Facebook account from being compromised.
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What can I do to protect myself?
The best way to prevent hackers from stealing your Facebook account is to take personal protection steps before they do.
Strong password: Use a unique and complex password for your Facebook account that is different from your other online accounts. Change it regularly and don’t share it with anyone. Also, password manager Securely store and generate complex passwords. It helps you create unique, hard-to-crack passwords that hackers can never guess. Second, he keeps track of all your passwords in one place and enters them for you when you log into your account, so you don’t have to remember them yourself. The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you are to reuse them on your account.
Learn more about the best password managers of 2023, reviewed by experts
Two-factor authentication: To enable Two-factor authentication (2FA) For Facebook accounts, you must enter the code sent to your phone or email every time you log in from a new device or location.
Avoid suspicious links. please do not Click the link or download the file It’s from an unknown source or looks suspicious. These may contain malware that can steal cookies or infect your device.
Install antivirus protection. Vietnamese hackers are increasingly targeting Facebook accounts for financial gain, so it’s essential to invest in strong antivirus protection on all your devices and maintain all operations Software updated always.strong antivirus software Malware actively running on your device alerts you to malware in your system and warns you not to click on malicious links in phishing emails. Phishing emails are often used by hackers to steal login credentials and ultimately help protect users from hacking. Building resilience against these growing threats is paramount. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection products of 2023 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Report a hack: If you notice unusual activity on your Facebook account, such as posts or messages that you did not create or send, please report it to Meta (Facebook’s parent company) as soon as possible. You can also use Hacked Accounts section of Facebook Help Center To recover or protect your account.
Use Identity Theft Protection. To protect your identity from Vietnamese scammers, Protection from identity theft It’s a smart choice. Identity theft protection companies monitor your personal information, such as your household title, social security number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it’s being used to open an account. It also helps freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further misuse by cybercriminals, in this case Vietnam.
Check out our tips and recommendations on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
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Cart important points
Sadly, victims of these Facebook heists often feel abandoned by the meta. Although there are channels to report hacks, they often prove ineffective. I can’t tell you how many emails I’ve received about how ineffective these channels are when it comes to actually using Facebook. I’ve been there myself.
Meta has been criticized for allowing hackers to attack and not providing enough support to victims. However, the demand for big tech regulation To combat these cyber threats and hold Meta accountable for the safety and privacy of its users. We reached out to Mehta for comment on this story, but did not hear back by deadline.
Do you think Meta should provide more meaningful support when your account gets locked out? Email us. Cyberguy.com/Contact
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