Fake Facebook accounts are a common threat, which can be used for fraud, stealing information or spreading fake news. Therefore, you need to know how to prevent it to protect yourself and your friends from unwanted risks.
How to recognize fake accounts
Low-Information or Few-Friends Profile: Fake accounts often have few friends, blurred, unclear personal information, lack of cover photos or photos, or photos with unnatural views.
Representative photos of unknown origin: Fake accounts often use photos of celebrities, photos taken online or ghost photos, poor quality. You can check by searching for the back photo on Google.
strange or unreasonable account name: The name can be spelled incorrectly, or contain many particularly confusing characters.
Strange messages with friend requests: Fake accounts often send friend requests with messages inviting customers to buy goods, asking for money or containing suspicious links.
Unusual activities: Post unrelated posts, send spam, share many promotional links, fake news or provoking content.
How to prevent fake accounts
Do not accept friendships from strangers: Only make friends with people you know well or have authenticity. If you are suspicious, you can ask directly or check their information.
Security your account: Establish privacy to limit who can send friend requests or view your personal information.
Report and block fake accounts: If you suspect fake accounts, go to that personal page, select the three- stop (...) icon, then select Report or block for Facebook to handle.
Be careful with strange links: Do not click on strange links sent via text messages or posts, especially from accounts of unknown identity.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Help protect your account from being taken over by bad guys and create fake accounts impersonating you.
Monitor unusual activities: If you see signs of forgery in your account or friends, give them a warning and handle them promptly.
If you are being impersonated or discover that your friends are being impersonated
Notice to Facebook: Use the fake account reporting feature so that Facebook can check and handle it.
Notify friends: Warn friends and relatives to avoid interacting or sending information to that fake account.
Check and protect personal accounts: Change passwords, activate 2-layer security, check login activities.
