You Might Not Want To Ignore That Facebook Protect Notification
Facebook has recently been sent notifications that ask users to enable Facebook Protect or risk losing their account within the next 15 days. Well, it's not a scam or bug, and the warning is very much real. Facebook Protect is not a new product. Meta created it as an extra layer of security for accounts belonging to influential personalities, which are often at the risk of cyberattacks. For high-profile accounts, Facebook proactively asks them to use the account safety tools at their disposal to strengthen security and fend off attacks from bad actors.
To do so, Facebook sends a notification or an email asking the owner to take the necessary steps to protect their account. In addition, Facebook, alongside fellow social media platforms like Twitter and Snapchat, has recently implemented many restrictions and safety features to protect the vulnerable citizens at the center of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. And since government officials and journalists are a potential target in such geopolitical conflicts, Facebook has been sending them strict safety protocol warnings as well.
Social media consultant and former tech journalist Matt Navarra first tweeted about receiving one such warning last week and then detailed the process of making the necessary account safety steps. Android Police has also confirmed that the platform is sending Facebook Protect notifications and emails to journalists, among other influential people, whose accounts are at the risk of being targeted for spreading misinformation and stopping them from sharing information that doesn't align with the state agenda. In addition, Meta claims that Facebook Protect "provides additional security protections for people's accounts and Pages, including monitoring for potential hacking threats."
To nudge high-target accounts, Facebook either sends them an email or drops a notification that appears on the News Feed. But with emails, there's always a risk of a malicious party sending a fake security email pretending to be from a Facebook employee. With that in mind, Facebook advises all users to verify the email address, which should be security@facebookmail.com, and nothing else. Once a high-target user gets the notification, they need to tap on the Get Started button and select Next on the welcome screen. At this stage, Facebook Protect kicks into action and checks for any security weaknesses that need to be fixed.
Facebook might ask users to set a stronger password or enable two-factor authentication if these haven't already been activated. If the system detects any potential vulnerabilities, it will alert users and guide them after tapping the Fix Now button. The idea is to make the process of account fortification as convenient as possible with step-by-step guidance. For the unaware, two-factor authentication offers security measures such as login security keys, temporary login codes generated by a third-party authentication app, or text message (SMS) codes sent to the registered mobile number. The process is relatively easy to follow and doesn't need any back-and-forth with Facebook support personnel.
Sources: Matt Navarra / Twitter, Android Police