In today’s digital world, protecting your online presence is paramount, especially for businesses and individuals with a significant online following. Unfortunately, at The Marketing Designer & Co., we’ve been noticing an alarming uptick in social media account hacking incidents.

The Harsh Reality of Hacking

When a hacker compromises your account, you can lose complete access. The path to recovery usually means starting from scratch — a devastating blow to any business or individual. The stakes are even higher if you operate a Business Page on Facebook. If an account with full admin access is hacked and doesn’t have 2FA enabled, you risk losing control over your business page.

The Importance of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

To fortify your accounts, we recommend enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA provides an extra layer of security that requires not just a password, but a second piece of information only you can access, such as a unique code sent to your mobile device.

Setting Up 2FA on Facebook and Instagram

Here are the steps to enable 2FA on Facebook and Instagram, using your mobile device:

Facebook

1. Click on your profile picture, found just below the Facebook logo on the far right of your screen.
2. Click on the small “cog” icon found at the top of your screen on the far right.
3. In the menu that opens, click on “Password and security.”
4. The Accounts Center will open; click on “Password and security” again.
5. Click on “Two-factor authentication.”
6. Your profile will appear. If your Instagram account is connected to your Facebook account, you can select it here as well.
7. Once you’ve selected the profile, you’ll be prompted to enter your password.
8. Choose your preferred 2FA method. For simplicity, you might select the Text message (SMS) option. Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Instagram

1. Open Instagram on your mobile device.
2. Tap your profile picture, then the menu icon (three lines).
3. Tap “Settings” at the bottom, then “Security.”
4. Tap “Two-Factor Authentication.”
5. Tap “Get Started.”
6. Choose your preferred method of 2FA.
7. Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Bonus tip… remember to update your recovery information regularly to regain access if you ever get locked out.

Google Authenticator: Your 2FA Companion

For added security, you can use the Google Authenticator app. This app generates unique, time-based codes for you to use when logging in. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download the Google Authenticator app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Set up 2FA in the service you want to secure.
3. Open Google Authenticator and tap the “+” button.
4. Scan the QR code provided by the service or manually enter the key.
5. Complete the setup.

The urgency of setting up 2FA cannot be overstated. Don’t wait until you’ve fallen victim to a hacking incident. Start now, secure your social media accounts, and ensure your peace of mind in the digital landscape. As always, The Marketing Designer & Co. is here to assist you with your digital marketing and security needs. Stay safe online!