What the Tech: Can you recover a Facebook account that hackers took over?
By JAMIE TUCKER Consumer Technology Reporter
Facebook Hacked? Here’s How to Save Your Stuff (But Maybe Not Your Account):
Let’s address the elephant in the room: recovering a fully compromised Facebook account is incredibly difficult, and sometimes impossible. This is especially true if the hacker changes your login information and disables two-factor authentication (2FA).
It’s like trying to reclaim a lost sock from a black hole – the odds aren’t exactly in your favor.
However, all hope isn’t lost! We can still salvage some of your valuable Facebook memories.
Here’s the not-so-great news: Starting a new Facebook profile might be necessary. But before you hit the “create account” button, let’s save those precious photos, videos, and posts.
1. Download Your Facebook Information:
This is your lifeline to your Facebook past. Head to your Settings & Privacy on a computer, then navigate to Your Facebook Information. Click Download Your Information and select the data you want to save (photos, videos, posts, etc.). Choose the desired date range and quality, then click Create Archive.
2. Download EVERYTHING:
For the truly comprehensive approach, you can also download all your Facebook data, including messages, contacts, and anything else you’ve ever uploaded. Click Download Your Information again, then scroll down and choose “Select All”. Follow the same steps as above to initiate the download.
3. Wait (and Wait Some More):
Depending on the amount of data, you might get an email with a download link within a day or two. This link expires, so act quickly!
4. Import Saved Data (Optional):
If you choose to create a new Facebook profile, you can potentially import some of your saved data (like posts and photos) using the downloaded JSON file. Keep in mind, this functionality might change in the future.
The Takeaway:
Losing your Facebook account can be frustrating, but by downloading your information, you can at least preserve some of your memories. Remember to enable 2FA on your new accounts to significantly improve security and prevent future headaches.
P.S. This advice applies to any online account: download your data regularly as a safety net in case of unforeseen circumstances. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
