Technology

5 ways to make your Facebook account bulletproof

Published

12 months ago

March 18, 2024

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5 ways to make your Facebook account bulletproof

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Scammers are constantly looking for ways to access your Facebook account. It doesn’t matter who you are; they want your information. They’re even stealing accounts from dog shelters. And if they get in, some users say recovering your account is a hassle. That’s why it’s important to make sure your account is locked down.

Here’s how to keep your Facebook account secure and safe from any potential scammers or hackers.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

Facebook app on a smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1) Change your Facebook password

One of the biggest things you can do is use a secure password on your account. Make sure it’s different from your other accounts. However, with data leaks becoming more frequent, it would be wise to change your passwords frequently — we recommend every three months.

How to change your password from your computer

Log into your Facebook account
Click the Account icon at the top right of the page (where your Profile picture should be)
Select Settings & Privacy
Select Settings
From the menu on the left of the screen, in the “Meta Accounts Center,” click “See more in Accounts Center“
On the next page, click “Password and security” towards the bottom of the left-hand navigation
Select Change Password
Choose an account to make changes. Select your Facebook account.
Enter your current password and then your new one twice to confirm in the edit fields
Tap on Change password

How to change your Facebook password from your iPhone

Changing your Facebook password from your iPhone is not much different from changing it from your computer. Here’s what you do:

Open the Facebook app and make sure you are logged in with the account for which you want to change the password
Tap the Facebook Menu button in the bottom right of the screen
Now tap Settings & Privacy
Click Settings
At the top in the “Meta Accounts Center,” click “See more in Accounts Center“
On the next page, click “Password and security“
Select Change Password
Choose an account to make changes. Select your Facebook account.
Enter your current password and then your new one twice to confirm in the edit fields
Tap on Change password

How to change your Facebook password from your Android

Changing your Facebook password from your Android also has very similar steps. Keep in mind that many Android phones act slightly different from one another, so these instructions may be similar, though not exact, for your phone and version of Android software.

Open the Facebook app and make sure you are logged in with the Facebook account for which you want to change the password
Tap the three horizontal lines on the navigation bar at the top of the screen
Tap Settings and Privacy
Then tap Settings
At the top in the “Meta Accounts Center,” click “See more in Accounts Center“
On the next page, click “Password and security“
Select Change Password
Choose an account to make changes. Select your Facebook account.
Enter your current password and then your new one twice to confirm in the edit fields
Tap on Change password

Use a password manager

Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords for your Facebook account. It will help you create unique and difficult-to-crack passwords that a hacker could never guess. Second, it also keeps track of all your passwords in one place and fills in passwords for you when you’re logging into an account so that you never have to remember them yourself. The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you will be to reuse them for your accounts.

Facebook account on laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: DON’T FALL FOR THAT ‘LOOK WHO DIED’ FACEBOOK MESSAGE TRAP

2) Set up two-factor authentication

Also known as 2FA, two-factor authentication has become a standard security setting. Working from home has made this even more common, as companies want to make sure you’re on a secure network before you use their programs. While it might seem annoying to follow a few extra steps to log in to your Facebook account, it’s worth it to protect your account from anyone else getting in.

Two-factor authentication requires you to approve a login on a separate device, so you’ll need to enable this feature on a desktop computer and then make sure you have the Facebook mobile app installed and logged in on your smartphone. Here’s how to turn it on from your computer:

Click the profile icon in the top right corner
Click Settings & privacy
Click Settings
At the top in the “Meta Accounts Center,” click “See more in Accounts Center“
Select Passwords and security on the left-hand sidebar
Click Two-factor authentication
Choose your account
Follow the prompts to enable two-factor authentication

Here’s how to turn it on from your smartphone:

Open the Facebook app
Tap the Facebook Menu button in the bottom right of the screen
Now tap Settings & Privacy
Click Settings
At the top in the “Meta Accounts Center,” click “See more in Accounts Center“
On the next page, click “Password and security“
Click Two-factor authentication
Choose your account
Follow the prompts to enable two-factor authentication

MORE: HOW TO OUTSMART CRIMINAL HACKERS BY LOCKING THEM OUT OF YOUR DIGITAL ACCOUNTS

3) Set up alerts for logins from unrecognized devices

You can opt in for text messages and email updates if anyone logs into your Facebook account from a device you haven’t marked as a recognized device. You can also have the notification pop up on your Facebook app. Here’s how to set up alerts for logins from unrecognized devices on your computer:

Click the profile icon in the top right corner
Click Settings & privacy
Click Settings
At the top in the “Meta Accounts Center,” click “See more in Accounts Center“
Select Passwords and security on the left-hand sidebar
Scroll down, and under “Security Checks,” tap Login alerts.
Click the account you want to set up the alerts for logins from unrecognized devices
Then, check either in-app notifications or email

Here’s how to set up alerts for logins from unrecognized devices on your smartphone:

Open the Facebook app
Tap the Facebook Menu button in the bottom right of the screen
Now tap Settings & Privacy
Click Settings
At the top in the “Meta Accounts Center,” click “See more in Accounts Center“
Click “Password and security“
Scroll down, and under “Security Checks,” click Login alerts
Click the account you want to set up the alerts for logins from unrecognized devices
Then, check either in-app notifications or email

Facebook app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: SCAMMERS ARE USING FAKE NEWS AND MALICIOUS LINKS TO TARGET YOU IN AN EMOTIONAL FACEBOOK PHISHING TRAP

4) Conduct a privacy checkup

Conduct a Privacy Checkup on your account about once a month to ensure it is still secure. Facebook will guide you through settings so you can ensure your data settings, ad preferences and search settings are all as you’d like them to be.

On a computer, click the profile icon in the top right corner of your Facebook page to find Settings & Privacy, then tap Privacy Checkup. Facebook will then guide you through some settings so you can make the right choice for your account.
On a mobile app, tap Menu at the bottom right, then tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings and tap Privacy Checkup. Facebook will then guide you through some settings so you can make the right choice for your account.

5) Never click suspicious links on Facebook

Do not click on suspicious links on Facebook, even if they appear to come from a friend or a company you know. This includes links as posts or in emails. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself:

Hover over the link: Most browsers show the actual destination URL when you hover your cursor over a link. Check if it matches the text displayed and looks legitimate.

Report suspicious links on Facebook. If you see a suspicious link on Facebook, be sure to report it. This helps keep the platform safe for everyone.

Have good antivirus software: The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

How to recover your Facebook account if you’ve already been hacked

You may realize a hacker has taken over your account if you can’t log in, or you may notice some red flags while still logged into your account – like posts you didn’t create. If you’ve already been hacked, follow these steps:

The first step is to check if you still have access to the phone number or email you set up your Facebook account.
If you do, go to facebook.com, make sure you’re logged out of any other account and click Forgot Account.
Follow the on-screen instructions to receive a recovery link to your email or phone number.

If you do not have access to the phone number or email associated with your Facebook account, head to facebook.com/login/identify. You’ll be able to fill out a form to have Facebook review your account while answering a few security questions to prove the account you’re trying to recover is yours. You’ll have to provide proof of ID, like a photo of a driver’s license. We understand there is hesitance to upload your ID, but Facebook says these uploads are encrypted and stored securely.

Another option:

Go to facebook.com/hacked from any device.
Notify Facebook about your compromised account.
Choose the relevant reason to help Facebook comprehend the situation. Then, proceed by clicking on Continue.
Facebook will prompt you to enhance your account settings. Initiate the process by clicking on Get Started.
Subsequently, it will commence evaluating your passwords, email addresses, connected apps and other pertinent details.
After selecting the reason, click on the Get Started button.
Upon completion of the analysis, you will be provided with the option to change your password once your email address is verified.
Follow the prompts to regain access to your Facebook account.

Kurt’s key takeaways

While locking down your Facebook account seems like a lot of work, it’s worth it. The peace of mind you’ll have knowing that hackers will have a hard time breaking into your account is priceless. Recovering your account can be difficult, so it’s better to get ahead of any hackers.

Do you feel like Facebook’s parent company, Meta, is doing enough to protect your Facebook account from hackers? What else do you think should be done to protect your account? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Technology

Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro e-bike review: the new ‘premium’

Published

17 hours ago

February 27, 2025

Press Room

Engwe Mapfour N1 Pro e-bike review: the new ‘premium’

Europe has an electric bike problem. Direct-to-consumer e-bikes from inexpensive Chinese brands like Engwe and countless others can be easily purchased online despite openly flouting EU restrictions. They feature throttles and powerful motors that can be easily unlocked to far exceed the 25km/h (16mph) legal speed limit — no pedaling required.

Here in Amsterdam, cheap Super73-knockoffs ridden at almost twice the legal speed have made the city’s renowned bicycle lanes increasingly chaotic and dangerous. Across the Netherlands, over 10,000 of these electric “fat bikes” were seized in 2024.

Engwe’s new Mapfour lineup is the company’s attempt at going legit by expanding from souped-up electric fat bikes and foldables into “premium commuter” e-bikes. And because they’re the first e-bikes that Engwe has designed exclusively for European roads, the company swears they can’t be unlocked for more speed.

I’ve been riding the new Mapfour N1 Pro model for the last few weeks. It lists for €1,899 (almost $2,000), or €1,799 during the initial launch — a price that brings heightened expectations.

The N1 Pro is slathered in premium capabilities like GPS/GSM tracking for which some bike makers charge subscriptions. The monocoque frame and fork are made from carbon fiber supplied by Toray — “the same high-quality carbon fiber as Trek and Specialized,” claims Engwe. There’s even turn-by-turn navigation built into the full-featured app, a large colorful display integrated into the handlebars, and a built-in mechanical lock in the rear wheel hub that automatically engages when the bike is turned off and stationary.

My review bike was missing a fender bolt, occasionally flashed a strange error code, and the solar-powered rear light won’t turn on. Still, it’s likely the highest quality electric bike Engwe has ever made.

$1714

The Good

Looks and rides sporty
Long list of features for price
Removable battery
Can’t be speed hacked

The Bad

Strange error messages
Servicing parts likely an issue
Doesn’t support height range claimed
Can’t be speed hacked

I have lots of experience with assembling direct-to-consumer e-bikes and the N1 Pro was ready to ride in about an hour, which is typical. Even with a carbon-fiber frame it weighs 20.1kg (44lbs) fully assembled according to my scale, which is heavy for an e-bike — just not Veloretti-heavy.

I had to raise the saddle higher than recommended despite Engwe claiming support for riders much taller than me.

In the box you’ll find a basic toolset that includes everything needed for assembly and instructions written in stellar English unlike some previous Engwe tutorials I’ve read. I had to assemble the pedals, front wheel, kickstand, handlebar, and fenders, and fish out a replacement fender bolt from some spare bicycle parts I had lying around. I then went to adjust the saddle to my height only to discover that I was too tall for the N1 Pro.

The saddle stem has a marked safety line that stops well before the height needed for my 6 foot (183cm) frame, despite being sold in the Netherlands where I’m considered a short king. Nevertheless, exceeding the line by about 2.5cm (one inch) hasn’t made the saddle feel insecure, even when riding over rough cobblestones. Engwe claims the N1 Pro supports riders from 165–190cm, and is considering offering the option for a longer saddle stem at checkout based upon my feedback.

The N1 Pro’s geometry puts the rider into what’s essentially a mountain bike stance: a moderate forward lean with hands spread wide out in front of the body. That wrist and body angle combined with a rather stiff saddle are not ideal for riding long distances, especially in combination with a backpack that’ll put even more weight on the hands and derrière. I do like that fun, sporty posture over short distances, but if you’re looking for a more relaxed ride then Engwe has the upright €1,399 MapFour N1 Air available in both step-over and step-through frames.

The battery can be unlocked and removed.

Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

The smart lock is reminiscent of the VanMoof kick lock. It automatically engages when the bike is turned off and stationary.

Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

The wires are mostly hidden and the lighting is integrated. The light bar can be customized with colors and animations that make it breath, pulse, or flow.

Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

The integrated display (pictured at startup) shows battery remaining, speed, light status, distance travelled, and direction and distance to next turn when using Engwe’s navigation.

Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

The 250W mid-drive Ananda motor on the N1 Pro is nearly silent under the din of road noise, and the integrated torque sensor provides an intuitive pedal-assist at all speeds. It produces up to 80Nm of torque that lets me easily start from a dead stop in fourth gear (of seven) on flat roads, but testing on a hill with a gradient of about 15 percent required a start from first gear. Typically, I only needed to shift to a high gear when I wanted to use my leg power to propel the bike at speeds above the 25km/h motor cutoff.

Despite claiming a range of up to 100km from its modest 360Wh battery, my first test performed over a few weeks yielded just 23km off a full charge in near-freezing conditions. I usually rode in power setting three of five on mostly flat roads. The second test performed on a single warmer day improved the range to 27km with 28 percent charge remaining — or an estimated 36km if I had time to run the battery dry for a below average 10Wh consumed per kilometer travelled. The bike battery seems to suffer from idle battery drain of about 1-2 percent per day when parked inside my house.

Worrisome for a “premium” e-bike: on two occasions I saw an “09” error message flash on the display which Engwe is still diagnosing. Once, while starting the bike after it had been sitting outside in the rain for a few hours. Another time after riding home on a rain-soaked street while switching between the N1 Pro’s regular and high-beam lights. In the first case, a simple reboot cleared it and I was able to ride away fine, but the other time required riding home under my own power before it inexplicably cleared the next morning.

The bike’s integrated display is readable in all lighting, and shows the remaining battery level, speed, power level, and even distance and direction of next turn if using the navigation built into the useful but overwrought Engwe app.
I didn’t find Engwe’s turn-by-turn navigation very useful as the guidance presented on the display wasn’t informative or urgent enough for me to make confident decisions when traversing the dense network of crossroads in Amsterdam.
It has a very loud alarm that can ward off thieves and help locate the e-bike in large parking garages.
The daytime running lights are fun and help with visibility, but also dorky if you choose the animated options.
The solar-powered rear light never worked on my review unit.
Engwe provides a chain guard on shipping units.
The hydraulic disc brakes from an unspecified vendor provide good controlled stops.
Includes a 1-year warranty on electrical components, chassis, and battery.

1/19

Some parts are standard and easy to source.

There was a time when premium e-bikes had list prices around €2,000 / $2,000. Those days are as gone as the free venture capital propping up e-bike startups, pushing premium prices up to a starting price closer to €3,000 / $3,000. The Engwe N1 Pro is therefore priced about right. It’s not a bad e-bike, but it’s also not great despite checking off lots of features on a marketing sheet.

Just remember, servicing a direct-to-consumer e-bike can be a problem as it requires the ready availability of spare parts and the knowledge to replace them. As with any electric bike exposed to the elements and regular road use, the N1 Pro’s motor and any proprietary electronics like the controller, display, battery, lights, buttons, and integrated lock will eventually need servicing. So you’d better be on very good terms with your local bike shop or be handy with a wrench and oscilloscope to prevent your mail-order e-bike from quickly turning into e-waste.

Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

Technology

Elon Musk’s SpaceX prepares for 8th Starship launch, pending FAA approval

Published

18 hours ago

February 27, 2025

Press Room

Elon Musk’s SpaceX prepares for 8th Starship launch, pending FAA approval

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is preparing to launch the eighth flight test of Starship from Boca Chica, Texas, which could blast off as soon as this Friday as long as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gives its approval.

“Starship Flight 8 flies Friday,” Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, said in a post on X Sunday.

For the first time, the upcoming flight has a planned payload deployment and multiple experiments on re-entry geared toward returning the upper stage booster to the launch site to be caught.

The launch will also include the return and catch of the Super Heavy booster that will blast the rocket off the launchpad.

STARSHIP UPPER STAGE LOST ON SEVENTH TEST FLIGHT, DEBRIS SEEN SPEWING IN SKY

Starship Flight 7 launches from Starbase, Texas, before its upper stage was lost. (Associated Press)

During the flight test, Starship will deploy four Starlink simulators, which are about the same size as next-generation Starlink satellites, SpaceX said.

The Starlink simulators will be deployed in the same sub orbit as Starship and are expected to burn up upon re-entry.

While Starship is in space, SpaceX also plans to relight a single Raptor engine.

POWERFUL WEBB TELESCOPE SPIES SPECTACULAR STAR BIRTH CLUSTER BEYOND THE MILKY WAY

Starship Flight 7 launches from Starbase, Texas before its upper stage was lost

Starship Flight 7 launches from Starbase, Texas. (Associated Press)

If all goes as planned, the launch window will open at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The launch comes more than a month after SpaceX launched Starship Flight 7 from the Starbase test site in Boca Chica, which resulted in Starship experiencing a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” nearly 12 minutes into the flight.

The Super Heavy booster descended back to Earth, where it maneuvered to the launch and catch tower arms at Starbase, resulting in the second ever successful catch of Super Heavy.

Starship, however, was not as successful.

MERGER OF MASSIVE BLACK HOLES FROM EARLY UNIVERSE UNCOVERED BY WEBB TELESCOPE, SCIENTISTS SAY

“Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn,” SpaceX said in a statement Jan. 16. “Teams will continue to review data from today’s flight test to better understand root cause. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability.”

SpaceX has investigated what caused Starship to break apart, though the investigation remains open.

For Starship Flight 8 to blast off, the FAA must give its approval, which could come in a few ways.

In 2023, the FAA issued a five-year license to SpaceX for launches from Texas, which is revisited for every launch in case modifications need to be made for things like the trajectory of the rocket. The FAA could grant approval once mission specifics and license modifications are made, the FAA told Fox News Digital.

But also lingering is the open investigation into the Starship Flight 7 mishap. To fly again, the investigation needs to be closed, and the FAA must accept the findings. Specifically, the FAA weighs whether the incident put public safety at risk.

At the time of this writing, the investigation had not been closed, and the FAA had not given approval. Still, it is common for the approval to be issued a day or two before launch, the FAA noted.

SpaceX did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter.

Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.

Technology

Longer-lasting laptops: the modular hardware you can upgrade and repair yourself

Published

2 days ago

February 26, 2025

Press Room

Longer-lasting laptops: the modular hardware you can upgrade and repair yourself

The goal, Patel says, is to continuously cycle through all of Framework’s actively supported laptops, updating each of them one at a time before looping back around and starting the process over again. Functionality-breaking problems and security fixes will take precedence, while additional features and user requests will be lower-priority.