I know when you are signing up for a new account, it’s easier, so much easier to click that button that says… “sign in with Facebook” or “sign in with Google.”
I mean, let’s face it, it beats setting up login details and a password, right? WRONG
What’s the problem?
When you use Facebook or Google to sign in to other accounts, you have permitted those platforms to allow you to log into those other accounts.
It’s too easy
How many times have you seen on Facebook that your friends have sent you a message through messenger saying, “this is you”, and there’s a link to YouTube? Of course, your first response is to click on it, and WHAM, the damage is done. Your Facebook account has just been hacked.
But you don’t know this yet. You may message your friend and say, “what was that about” and your friend replies with, “I didn’t send that”. You may do what a lot of people do, shrug your shoulders because you’re tired and can’t be bothered right now!
What happens next
The hacker now has access to your Facebook account. What could they possibly want on your platform?
Details, yep, your personal information. If you have shopped on Amazon or Wish and connected it with Facebook or Google, they now have access to those platforms. Not only that, they now have access to more of your details, such as your mailing address, phone number and any banking, Stripe or PayPal information connected to those accounts.
These details may not be on one platform but remember you have given the hacker access to everything connected to that platform.
Passwords
When you find out that your Facebook account has been hacked, the first thing you do is change your password. That will make your account safe again, and you can go on your merry way thinking all is good but is it?
NO, it’s not. Not unless you go through all the connected platforms you have and change those passwords too; by this stage, the hacker could have already done that and locked you out.
The solution
Don’t be careless. Take the time to create those login details and passwords for other platforms.
You don’t want the confusion of contacting all those other accounts to explain what’s happened and gain access back to them. And that’s if you can remember all the platforms you’ve used Facebook or Google to sign on with. What a headache!
I like to have my passwords written down the old fashioned way. But if that’s not for you, try using LastPass to store all your passwords. Other platforms like LastPass exist, and many offer free and paid versions. So please do your homework and research them before you make your choice.
It will be worth it in the long run.
Cheers, Anita