Facebook says it will notify you if the government hacks your account

Facebook has recently launched a new feature that notifies users if their accounts are under attack by government-sponsored hackers. On the the social network’s security page, Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos states that Facebook “will notify you if we believe your account has been targeted or compromised by an attacker suspected of working on behalf of a nation-state.”

Facebook launched a feature that notifies users if their accounts are under attack by government-sponsored hackers. Image source: Facebook.

In the past, Facebook has notified its users when their account seemed to be compromised, but according to Stamos, attacks from governments are more advanced and dangerous than others. To protect its own security processes, Facebook chose not to explain how it can determine whether an attack is government-sponsored. The company also said that the warning will only be used in situations in which the evidence strongly supports the conclusion.

If a government attack should occur, Facebook’s notification will advise users to turn on a feature called Login Approvals, which sends the user a new security code that must be inputted each time an account is accessed from a new device or browser. Stamos said that receiving such a notification is not an indication that Facebook’s central systems have been compromised, but rather that the user’s computer or mobile device may be infected with malware and should be replaced or rebuilt if possible.

Pictured above is what the notification will look like. Image source: Facebook.

Back in 2013, while conducting widespread surveillance operations, the U.S. National Security Agency hacked directly into the servers of nine internet firms including Facebook. North Korea was also accused of state-sponsored hacking after the December 2014 cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, which resulted in the personal details of about 6,000 Sony employees being leaked online, as well as information on upcoming films and salary information on the company’s top executives. North Korea denied involvement.

Facebook seems to be taking steps to protect its brand, databases, and users, by issuing warnings about possible hack attacks. Technically it’s not required to provide these reminders.

Via Yahoo!