Why Hackers Target Business Facebook Accounts – And How to Keep Yours Safe

Your business Facebook account is more than just a marketing tool, it's a vital part of how you connect with customers, build trust, and drive sales. But that also makes it a valuable target for criminals.

You might think only big brands need to worry about Facebook hacks, but in reality, small business Facebook pages are often easier to exploit, and just as profitable for attackers.

Let’s explore why your business account is at risk, how attackers use data breaches and combo lists, and the simple steps you can take today to protect your business online.

Why Do Hackers Target Facebook Business Accounts?

1. To Run Malicious Ads Using Your Budget Once criminals gain access, they can attach their own payment methods to your ad account and launch ads for scams, counterfeit goods, or adult content, racking up charges in your name.

2. To Steal or Sell Your Page and Followers Pages with large followings are sold on the dark web. Hackers may rename your page and repurpose it to promote fake brands or products.

3. To Spread Phishing Links or Malware A compromised page can be used to post malicious links posing as promotions, giveaways, or urgent updates, tricking your customers into installing malware or giving up their personal information.

4. To Access Linked Business Tools If your Facebook page is connected to Instagram, WhatsApp, or Meta Business Suite, a single breach can expose multiple platforms.

How Criminals Use Data Breaches and Combo Lists

Data breaches happen when hackers steal login details (emails and passwords) from companies, like LinkedIn, Canva, Dropbox, or even less-known services. These details are leaked or sold on the dark web.

Criminals collect millions of stolen credentials into what’s known as combo lists, huge databases of email + password pairs. Then, they use automated tools to attempt logins across popular platforms in a tactic called credential stuffing.

Here’s the scary part:If you’ve reused your password, a hacker can log into your Facebook account without hacking anything, just by using data already leaked online.

Real Example

You signed up for a fitness app in 2019 using your business email and password. That platform suffered a breach, and your details are now part of a combo list.

If that same email and password were used to manage your Facebook Business Page, a criminal could log in immediately, take control, remove your access, and start draining your ad budget.

6 Steps to Protect Your Business Facebook Account

The good news is that protecting yourself doesn’t require advanced IT skills, just some cyber common sense. Here are six simple actions you can take:

1. Check If You've Been Breached

Go to HaveIBeenPwned.com and enter your email. If it’s listed, change passwords for any affected accounts immediately.

2. Use a Unique, Strong Password for Facebook

Never reuse passwords across platforms. Use a 3 random or password manager to generate and securely store complex passwords like:

CoffeeMug42!Update

Avoid weak passwords like:

Business123 or Password2024

3. Turn On Two-Step Verification (2SV)

Also called two-factor authentication, 2SV prevents unauthorised logins even if someone knows your password.

Best practice: Use an authenticator app (like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator) rather than SMS.

Set it up via:Facebook Settings > Security and Login > Two-factor authentication

4. Review Page Roles and Permissions

Only trusted individuals should have Admin access to your page. Regularly remove former employees or collaborators who no longer need access.

Check it here:Page Settings > Page Roles

5. Monitor Your Login Activity

Facebook lets you see where your account is logged in. This is a quick way to catch unauthorised sessions.

Go to:Settings > Security and Login > Where You're Logged In

6. Train Staff and Stay Vigilant Against Phishing

Many breaches start with a fake message that looks like it’s from Meta/Facebook. Teach your team to spot:

• Suspicious links

• Urgent warnings about policy violations

• Messages from unofficial domains (e.g. meta-support)