I’ve heard from plenty of businesses that have had their ad accounts compromised, either through their personal Facebook accounts or one of their employees’.
Hackers move fast, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in just a few hours on spammy ads to drain your account.
Although Meta usually refunds quickly in such instances, your operations will likely halt as you attempt to regain control of your account.
7 Ways to Secure Your Meta Ad Account
I firmly believe that prevention is better than cure. Here are my key tips to avoid getting your Meta account hacked:
1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
To keep your Meta Business Manager account secure, start by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA).
2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a one-time code in addition to your password.
Now, a lot of people prefer to use SMS for 2FA. I don’t advise doing this because SMS can be spoofed. Someone could walk into a phone store with a fake ID, claim their phone was stolen, and walk away with a new SIM card in your name.
If that happens, they can intercept your SMS codes and gain access to your account
Instead, use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. These apps live on your phone and aren’t associated with your phone number or SIM card. Plus, they generate time-sensitive codes that are much harder for hackers to intercept or use.
For detailed instructions on enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Meta account, check out this help article.
2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
My second tip to protect your Meta ad account is to create a strong, unique password.
I know — it’s tempting to use something simple like your nickname or your dog’s name because it’s easy to remember. But that won’t cut it when we’re talking about your Meta ad account, where sensitive data and real money are involved.
Here are some tips to create a more secure password:
- Use a Passphrase. Instead of random characters, try a memorable sentence like "TheCoffeeIsAlwaysHotOnMondays!" — long, easy to remember, but hard to crack.
- Add Site-Specific Twists. Make each password unique for different sites by adding a site-specific detail. For example, for Facebook, you could tweak the passphrase to "TheCoffeeIsAlwaysHotOnMondays!FB".
- Replace Letters with Symbols. Swap out certain letters for symbols you can easily remember. For instance, replace "O" with "@" or "A" with "4," turning a phrase into something like "Th3C@ffeeIsHot$123!".
- Use an Airport Code. Incorporate the airport code of a favorite city (like LAX for Los Angeles) to add variety: "Th3CoffeeIsAlwaysHot!LAX123".
These methods help you create long, unique, and personal passwords that are easy for you to remember — but much harder for anyone else to guess.
3. Limit Access to Admin Roles in Business Manager
Another way to secure your Meta ad account is to limit access to admin roles in Business Manager.
In Business Manager, people can be assigned as either Employee or Admin. Admins have full control over assets like ad accounts, pages, and pixels.
Having fewer admins reduces risk. If an admin gets hacked, they can use all your accounts for malicious ads or spending. Employees, with limited access, can't do as much damage.
To assign or remove admin roles, go to the People section in the Admin Centre. From there, you can easily manage who holds admin privileges.
4. Add “Trusted Emails” to Your Business Manager
My next tip to secure your Meta ad account is to add trusted email domains to your Business Manager.
These are the domains you know are associated with legitimate sources, like your company or trusted partners.
If you're managing ads through a personal email that’s tied to your business, be sure it’s verified and secure. Avoid using free email domains like Gmail or Yahoo unless they’re directly tied to your company's operations.
Once you've identified these trusted domains, follow these steps to add them to your Business Manager:
- Log in to your Business Manager account and click "Business Settings" in the left menu.
- Select the "Brand Safety" option from menu items.
- Click "Domains."
- Add your company’s trusted domains to ensure only approved users can gain direct access.
5. Monitor Authorized Apps and Connected Devices
When was the last time you checked which devices and apps have access to your Meta account? If it’s been a while, I suggest you take a look.
Head to your personal Meta page and navigate to the “Security” section. Here, you can review recent login activity and manage which devices are linked to your account.
It’s also a good idea to check on the apps you’ve authorized over time. Compromised apps can be a gateway for losing access to your account.
Make it a habit to monitor and update these settings regularly. Staying on top of this can help prevent any potential security breaches and keep your Meta account safe.
6. Learn How to Spot Suspicious Messages
Phishing messages are a common way hackers try to access your Meta ad account.
These messages often look like they’re from Meta, but they lead to fake sites designed to steal your login details.
Once they’re in, hackers can take over, remove admins, and run fake ads using your funds.
How can you avoid falling for these tricks?
Check the source of every email or message about your account. Official notifications don’t come from random addresses.
Look for unusual spellings or strange characters. If something feels off, don’t click— trust your instincts.
A little caution can go a long way in keeping your account safe.
7. Use a Password Manager
My last tip is one that’ll take the stress out of securing your Meta ad account — using a password manager to keep everything organized and secure.
If you’re running a small organization, I recommend 1Password. It’s simple, user-friendly, and helps you keep all your passwords safe without the hassle of remembering them.
For larger companies, I suggest switching to Keeper.
That’s what we use in my businesses because it offers more advanced tools for managing bigger teams.
Keeper gives you features like dark web monitoring and detailed reports, which are key for tracking password health and staying secure.
Both tools work well depending on the size of your business, but for larger setups, Keeper offers the extra control needed to handle multiple accounts efficiently.
What to Do If Your Account Is Already Hacked?
Did you click on this article after realizing your Meta ad account got hacked? Before doing anything else, take these immediate steps to limit risks and regain control:
1. Report the Hack to Meta
The first thing you should do is report the hack to Meta.
Use their support channels, whether it’s live chat or email, to file a report.
It may take some time, but starting the process early will help you regain control faster.
2. Check for Security Alerts
Meta usually sends notifications or emails when they detect unusual activity.
Look for these alerts in your inbox or notifications.
Follow any recommended steps to further secure your account as instructed by Meta.
3. Use Recovery Links if You’re Locked Out
If you can’t access your account, don’t panic.
Use Meta’s recovery tools to regain access. Head to the Facebook Account Recovery page or the Instagram Help Center to start the process.
These links are designed to help you get back into your account quickly and safely.
4. Change Your Password and Remove Unrecognized Devices
Once you’ve regained access, immediately change your password.
Make sure it's strong, unique, and different from any past passwords.
Then, check your account for any unrecognized devices or apps and remove them to cut off any ongoing access.
5. Freeze Payments and Monitor Your Cards
Hackers often target the credit cards linked to your ad account.
Contact your bank or credit card provider to temporarily freeze your cards.
This will stop further unauthorized spending while you work on securing your account.
Secure Your Meta Ad Account Before It’s Too Late
Your Meta ad account is a valuable asset. So it's time you start treating it like one.
Take the steps I’ve shared above to strengthen its security. Remember, your ads, campaigns, and billing are all tied to it.
With cyber threats only expected to rise, protecting your account now will save you from bigger headaches down the road.