Social media giants like Facebook are not immune to security issues. The company has struggled with piracy many times, and it's a common occurrence these days. If you've recently noticed strange activity on your Facebook account, you've probably been hacked.
Was it a photo you don't remember posting or a change you don't recognize in your feed? In this article, we will show you how to find out if someone else is using your Facebook account.
How to see the last active uses on Facebook
Before you rack your brains and think about what your new password should be and how much time you have to react, there is one more step to consider.
You can tell if someone else has used your Facebook account by checking the last active status. Facebook enabled this feature several years ago to help you monitor your logins and report suspicious sessions.
Keep in mind that Facebook won't have the precise location of every login. Some might be far; it all depends on where you are in the world and where the server is. Either way, you will always have the date and time, as well as the device used to access.
Facebook has a lot of settings. Often, it is quite difficult to navigate. How, for example, are you supposed to find activity history on Facebook? Here's how.
Get Facebook History from iPhone or Android
Most people use Facebook on their phone, so here's how to check your login history using the Facebook app:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the "three horizontal lines" in the upper right corner.
- Scroll down under "Settings and privacy", then select " Settings. »
- Under "Security", select “Security and connection”. You will end up on the page with a section called “Where you are logged in”. Facebook will show you the "Active Now" status in blue letters. This should be the device you are currently using.
- If you want to see more, press the blue " See everything " option on the right. You'll see the last active sessions, including approximate location, device type/model, and most recent login time.
If you see a device or location you don't recognize, tap the three vertical dots. Then select “Logout”.
You can also tap on the “Secure Account” option on this page. This button will guide you through changing your password and other Facebook security features.
Get Facebook History from PC or MAC
If you find browsing the Facebook web portal more convenient than the app, you can check the login history using this method.
The overall concept is the same. Since the website and the app have significant differences when it comes to user interface (UI), it is best to list all the steps required for the website. Here is what you need to do:
- Log in to your Facebook account, then click on the little "down triangle" at the top right of the screen.
- In the "drop-down menu", select "Settings and privacy", then choose "Settings".
- In the left panel, select "Security and login".
- You may also see the "Where you are connected" option. The current active session is listed and the green "Active Now" status is displayed. If you want to see all sessions, click on the blue “See more” option and the menu will expand.
That's all there is to viewing Facebook history from a PC or Mac.
How to Log Out of Devices on Facebook
Locating the suspicious device or activity can be quite easy, but what are you supposed to do once you learn this information?
You can check your latest activity on Facebook using your phone, tablet or computer in just a few simple steps. The best thing to do is to sign out of devices you don't recognize or sign out of each device to be on the safe side.
It is entirely up to you. Luckily, unlike some social media platforms and websites, Facebook will give you both choices. Here's how.
Log out of a certain device on Facebook using iOS or Android
If you want to keep your current devices connected to Facebook, you can always easily log out the unknown device.
- Launch Facebook on iOS or Android, then click the button « Menu » icon in the top right section.
- Select " Settings. »
- In the “Security” menu, press “Security and connection”.
- Select " See everything " to open the full list of devices.
- Press the « ellipse » (three vertical dots) to open the activity details for the selected device.
- Select "Disconnect" for the chosen device.
The device you signed out of Facebook will no longer have access to until it is signed back in, if possible. If this is someone accessing your account and you change your login credentials, this will indeed not happen again on that particular device. If the device reappears later, it may be one of your devices, even if it shows as an unknown device. However, there is always the possibility that a hacker could also crack your new login password.
Log out of all devices at once in Facebook from iPhone or Android
If the only device you use to log in is your smartphone, or if you prefer, logging out of all devices on Facebook is the best way to go.
- Open the Facebook app and navigate to “Menu -> Settings -> Security & Login -> See All. »
- Scroll down, then select » SIGN OUT FROM ALL SESSIONS. "
Facebook automatically logs you out of all sessions in the list except your current session.
Log out of all devices at once in Facebook from PC or MAC
You can log out of all sessions at once or individually by accessing the Facebook web portal.
If you are worried about some strange activity on your profile, you should do the following on your Mac or PC:
- Go to the “Where you are connected” option. Click on the blue " See more " option to expand the list of all past and current sessions.
- If you want to sign out of each device at once, click the button "Disconnect from all sessions" option in the lower right corner.
- Facebook will ask you to confirm your choice by clicking " Sign out " again.
Log out of certain devices on Facebook using a PC or Mac
If you think there is no need to sign out from everywhere, there is a solution for that too. Here's how to log out of specific devices on Facebook using Windows or macOS:
- Select the device or session you are unsure of and click the button « ellipse » icon (three vertical dots) on the side. A small pop-up window will appear saying, “Not you? and “Disconnect”.
- The " Not you? » The option gives you a chance to rewatch the session and maybe remember it was you after all. Alternatively, you can get a bit more information about the activity.
- The " Sign out " The option will immediately disconnect the device in question.
You can repeat this process as many times as you want. Facebook will not allow logging out of your current session on the web portal, just like Android and iOS.
In conclusion, opening Facebook and seeing strange activity on your profile can be concerning, especially if it's been a long time since you've used your account. Before taking action, review all sessions and try to determine when someone was able to access your account. Next, take care and sign out of every device that isn't yours and change your password. Additionally, you can use all of the bonus security measures offered by Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protecting your Facebook account is of utmost importance. If you still have questions, keep reading.
Can I find out who logged into my Facebook account?
Unfortunately, these methods will only show you the device type, location, and IP address (if you hover over the connection). Unless it's someone you know, you're unlikely to know exactly who is logging into your account.
What if someone took over my account?
If someone has illegally accessed your Facebook account and you can no longer log in, the first thing you should do is contact Facebook Support. If you still have access to the email on the account, reset the password.
What is Facebook's Trusted Contacts feature?
The Trusted Contacts feature lets your friends help you get back into your account if you get locked out. Facebook will send your friend a verification code that you can use and regain access.
