Want to get your account hacked on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or any other major social network? It's actually really easy -- all you have to do is sit back and keep doing what you've been doing.
In fact, we've got a big list of what you should do if you'd like to have your account compromised. Follow this advice to the letter and you too can experience the joy of a hacked social media account, and possibly even identity theft.
1. Don't Use a Strong Password
When you want someone to break into your account, one of the best tactics you can use is employing a weak password to protect it. Make sure it's easy to guess, either by a machine or by someone who knows you. Check the below video for ideas:
The shorter your password is, the better. Also, you should use dictionary words and leave out symbols and numbers so your password is all set up for hacking. Ignore those who warn you of common password mistakes -- as long as you can easily remember it, you'll be fine. As for password managers, who needs them?
2. Don't Enable Two-Factor Authentication
You've probably heard of two-factor authentication (2FA) so much now that you're sick of it. And that's good: you shouldn't even bother with it since you're looking to get your account hacked. While you can use 2FA on lots of important services, especially your social accounts, you should continue to have one point of failure for your accounts instead of two.
After all, an authenticator app like Authy takes a whole ten minutes to set up, and who has that kind of time? It makes more sense to spend hours trying to recover your account later when the damage is already done so you aren't inconvenienced now.
3. Don't Worry About Clicking Any Links
Links are fun. They're usually colorful, and they can take you to all kinds of wonderful places on the web. Thus, you should click on them whenever you see fit, and without discrimination. This includes links in emails, those sent to you in random social media messages from strangers, and popups.
If you click a link and something seems suspicious, don't worry about it. It's probably just your imagination. When a page looks like Facebook's login, it definitely is. Feel free to enter your password on any page you like, and don't think scanning them first is necessary.
4. Don't Uncheck That "Remember Me" Box or Sign Out
You know that little Remember Me checkbox that appears when you sign into your favorite website? Make sure that's always checked, because it makes signing in really convenient for you.
Let's say you sign into a social media site on a public computer -- like one at a school, library, or friend's house. You could leave that box unchecked, but think about it. If you do that, you'll have to type your password the next time you come over.
That would take too long, so just have the site remember you. There's no chance that someone will use that PC after you and have complete access to your account. That's crazy talk! And if you don't sign out of whatever you were using, you can be sure the next person will be honest and do so for you.
5. Don't Secure Your Email Account
Want to make it easy for an attacker to get into your accounts? Make sure you don't lock down your email, so they can get in and have free rein. Since you sign into so many other services with your email, you're really making a hacker's day if you leave the door open for your email account.
Many of the suggestions above apply for your email account, too. Don't bother enabling two-factor authentication, ignore all those useless security tools that Gmail provides, and make sure you give obvious answers to those security questions. Once a hacker gets into your email, they'll have a blast resetting your passwords for other sites.
6. Don't Limit the Amount of Apps You Connect
Connecting apps and games to your social accounts is convenient, and poses zero security risks. Every time you find a cool new Facebook game that needs access to your contacts list, birthday, work history, and blood type, you should certainly allow it. Who's going to crush that candy and rescue those elves if you don't?
After all, the more apps you connect, the more awesome your account becomes. There's no downside to so many services potentially having access to your information. You should never question an app's permissions -- just accept everything as it comes.
7. Don't Keep an Eye Out for Warning Signs
There's no reason to regularly review your account for signs of unwanted access. If you notice that you're suddenly following strange accounts, it's probably just Instagram or Snapchat helping you discover new people. Getting password reset emails you didn't ask for isn't suspicious at all. And if your friends let you know that your account posted something strange, they're probably just hallucinating.
Don't be vigilant about protecting your accounts. Detecting a problem early might kick an attacker out before they can mess with your account, and that's the last thing we want. Under no circumstances should you change your password if you suspect foul play.
How Are You Helping Hackers Today?
Hopefully you're not taking the seven above security measures, and continue to avoid using them to make your social accounts ripe for attack. These aren't the only ones, however. Remember to share all kinds of sensitive information on social media, provide your account details to other people, and add anyone who sends you a request for maximum social excitement. You'll have fun and make it easy for hackers to hit your account at the same time -- what's not to love?
Want some malware to go with your hacked account? Make sure you ignore any advice you hear about preventing Facebook viruses.
Do you actually bother to do any of the above? How have hackers broken into your accounts in the past? Share more ways that others can experience the joy of stolen accounts in the comments!
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