My sister's Messenger got hacked

[Marthe48]

I knew the texts I was getting wasn't from her, and reported the conversation to fb.

I haven't reported a Messenger hack before, and wondered if she'll have to chance her pw, or make a new account? Thanks for any leads

[Tetrachloride]

1. 1 friend did new account. 1 did new password

1. update the browsers and messages and mail software and everything possible

2. i bet she has Google Gmail. there is a browser bug

3. do a complete virus check

4. install ad block on her computer and phones

[Marthe48]

2. Thank you!

I'll pass the information along. We live 2 hours apart. She has a friend who might help her with her tech issues. I hope.

[Tetrachloride]

4. I presume she is a Windows user ?

( most of the advice is theoretically the same on Macs, but i can advise with some accuracy on Macs and iPhones)

[Nictuku]

3. Have you received a new Friend Request from her recently?

If you have, and you accepted it, you will notice that it is a newly created facebook account.

What I have gathered from these things is that it is not really a case of 'hacking' a valid facebook account and taking it over, but more this: Somehow people get a hold of your (or this case your sisters) 'friends' lists. (this is done by the stupid quizes, or games that are on facebook that ask permission to access your friends lists). Once they have your friends, then they copy your profile picture and create a brand new account, use your profile picture, then start going after your friends with new friend requests. Then they request to be friends of all of her friends. (and so on, and so on)

Once a person accepts these fake new friends requests, the scammer can then access their friends lists (and it goes on and on). I think the scam part comes in using messenger (once you are a friend) and try to talk you into investing in this or that, or any number of scams.

The best thing to do, if let your sister know, and have her post something on her page there telling people she has been hacked and to not accept any friend requests made by her. Also, if you receive a fake friend request, you can report it. You can usually tell which one is the real friend (sister) if you look at the profile of the new friend request person, it will say 'new account'. They also won't have much content posted, and few, if any, friends.

If you did not get a recent friends request from your sister, then this doesn't really apply.

[Marthe48]

6. She had that copycat problem awhile back

I explained to her how to shield her friends list, and I think she did that.

She did something to her laptop and has been offline since last week. I knew she didn't have access to Messenger, because she doesn't know how to access it on her phone. I got a message from her that said 'hi.' Later, I got a message she had bought a new phone, and needed my help to get into her fb account, but needed my number to get a code to send to her. The tone of the message was unlike my sister's usual. I was talking to someone and said I would call her when I could. Got a reply she nedded help asap. Even in texts, we always say please and thanks. So I guessed it wasn't my sister. And it wasn't.

[Tetrachloride]

5. if she has the Messenger app, i suggest

new account

1. make a list of key friends
2. delete the app
3. reboot
4. install app
5. make new account
6. email or call friends to announce new account
7. do not use a photo of yourself.
8. possible new credit card

[Marthe48]

7. UPDATE: My sister's friend got her account back

She used messenger a couple times yesterday. Her last text on it was that she was still having trouble and don't answer her. lol I texted her a reply on her phone text.

Thanks for all of your tips. I passed them along, but who knows if they used this groups ideas or their own. We can but try.