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Unlocking Solutions: What to Do When Your Facebook Ads Account is Hacked

Safeguarding Your Digital Fortress - A Definitive Guide to Recovering from a Hacked Facebook Ads Account

Unlocking Solutions: What to Do When Your Facebook Ads Account is Hacked

Meta Ads have become an integral part of marketing strategies. However, with great opportunities come great risks. One of the nightmares every advertiser dreads is the hacking of their Facebook Ads account. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, worry not. We, at BROGAN Digital, have crafted a comprehensive guide to help you regain control and secure your account swiftly.

1. Recognizing the Signs

Unusual Activity Alert

The first indication that your Facebook Ads account may have been compromised is often an influx of irregular activities. Monitor your account regularly, and if you notice any unauthorized changes in ad content, targeting, or budget allocation, take immediate action.

Strange Billing Statements

Keep a vigilant eye on your billing statements. Unauthorized spending or unusual transactions could be a sign of a breach. Regularly check your billing history to ensure all expenditures align with your campaigns.

2. Taking Swift Action

Audit Change History On All Live Campaigns

Select each live campaign (on at a time) and review change history for the past 7, 14, 30 days based on when you believe any hacks may have occurred.

Audit Automated Rules

Ensure that no automated rules were created, this typically is not apparent in the change history specific to each campaign. Take a moment to review the systems automated rules, and confirm no new rules have been created.

Change Your Password

The cornerstone of regaining control is to promptly change your password. Opt for a complex combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. This will significantly enhance the security of your account.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

An additional layer of protection, 2FA, adds an extra step to the login process. Even if a hacker has your password, they won't be able to access your account without the secondary verification code.

3. Contact Facebook Support

Report the Incident

Facebook takes security seriously, and reporting the incident is crucial. Head to the Facebook Help Center and submit a detailed report of the unauthorized access. Provide specific information, such as the time and nature of the suspicious activities.

Reach Out to Support

Engage with Facebook Support directly. Submit a request detailing the issue and your efforts to rectify it. The more information you provide, the quicker they can assist in resolving the matter.

Conduct Internal Employee Access Audit

Review all employee and partner access. Remove those that are intactive, and confirm internally that all users who need/have access to the business manager and associated ads account(s) is validated.

4. Conduct a Security Audit

Review Active Sessions

Check for active sessions on your account. If you spot any unfamiliar devices or locations, immediately log them out. This step ensures that you remove any potential threats to your account.

App Permissions

Evaluate the third-party applications linked to your Facebook Ads account. Revoke access for any applications that seem suspicious or unnecessary. This eliminates potential entry points for hackers.

5. Restoring & Strengthening

Restore Deleted Content

In some cases, hackers may delete essential campaigns or content. Act swiftly to restore any lost data. Facebook often provides a recovery option, allowing you to retrieve deleted items within a certain timeframe.

Strengthen Security Protocols

Learn from the incident and fortify your security protocols. Regularly update passwords, conduct staff training on recognizing phishing attempts, and reinforce the importance of adhering to security measures.

6. Learn & Prevent

Analyze the Breach

After resolving the issue, conduct a thorough analysis of the breach. Understand how the hacker gained access and take measures to prevent a recurrence.

Educate Your Team

Knowledge is your greatest defence. Educate your team on the importance of cybersecurity, and 2FA. Train them to recognize phishing attempts and follow best practices for online security.

In our dynamic landscape of digital marketing, encountering challenges like a hacked Facebook Ads account is not uncommon. By promptly recognizing the signs, taking swift action, and implementing robust security measures, you can regain control and fortify your defences against future threats.

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