Are you concerned about the security of your Facebook account? In today’s digital landscape, online security is more important than ever. Facebook Protect is now called Advanced Protection.
Meta made the name change starting in 2024 and confirmed the updated program (with broader availability and region-specific rules) as of late 2026. It remains a free, additional layer of account security for higher-risk accounts.
Advanced Protection remains valuable for many users and candidates on Facebook, as well as for journalists, high-reach creators, and other accounts that Meta considers higher risk.
(Updated, November 2026.
Table of Contents
What is Facebook Advanced Protection?
Advanced Protection offers enhanced security features to safeguard your account and personal information. It is designed to provide an additional layer of protection against potential security threats for accounts that face elevated risk of phishing, hacking, or compromise.
It helps these accounts stay secure by requiring stronger login methods, such as two-factor authentication, a passkey, or a strong password, and adds monitoring for potential hacking threats. This service is especially relevant for public accounts such as politicians, public figures, journalists, high-reach creators, and certain Page admins.
It is not the same as Facebook’s Content Protection tool (which protects original Reels from unauthorized reuse and lives in the Professional Dashboard).
Learn what Facebook Advanced Protection is all about.
Enhanced Security Features:
- Stronger login methods: Advanced Protection requires or strongly encourages two-factor authentication, passkeys, or a strong password, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to access your account.
- Real-time monitoring: Your account is monitored for suspicious activity. If unusual behavior is detected, you can be notified so you can take action.
- Stronger account protection: Extra measures help reduce the risk of hacking or unauthorized login attempts.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for Advanced Protection (or required to turn it on), you typically need to meet certain criteria, such as being a high-profile or at-risk individual. This may include public figures, government officials, candidates, campaign staff, journalists, or individuals who may be more susceptible to targeting by malicious actors.
Additionally, accounts connected to business portfolios that advertise with Meta, accounts with large followings or high potential reach, and some Meta Verified accounts may also be eligible or required.
If Meta selects your account, you’ll typically see a Feed or in-app notification (and sometimes an email from security@facebookmail.com). In most countries, completing setup is required if prompted—failure to do so within roughly two weeks can lock you out until you finish.
Canada is more optional. If you don’t receive a prompt, you usually don’t need to take action, though some accounts can enable it voluntarily when the option appears.
By meeting the eligibility criteria and using the enhanced security features of Advanced Protection, you can take proactive steps to secure your Facebook account and protect your personal information from potential threats.
Importance of Facebook Protect
Protection Against Hacking
Facebook Advanced Protection is essential for safeguarding your account from potential hacking attempts. With the rise of cyber threats, having an extra layer of security can help prevent unauthorized access and protect your personal information.
Safeguarding Personal Information
By enabling Advanced Protection, you can secure sensitive personal information stored on your account. This added layer of security helps keep your private data more secure and out of reach from unauthorized individuals or malicious entities.
Preventing Unauthorized Access with Facebook Protect
Unauthorized access to your Facebook account can lead to various privacy and security risks. Advanced Protection offers proactive measures to prevent unauthorized access, giving you more peace of mind and control over who can access your account.
How to Enable Facebook Protect
How to Enable Advanced Protection
You’ll see a guide for the process of setting up Advanced Protection, including enabling stronger login methods, identifying authorized devices where relevant, and confirming your identity as prompted.
- Log into Facebook.
- Click your profile picture (top right) → Settings & privacy → Accounts Center (or Meta Account).
- Go to Password and security.
- Select Advanced Protection.
- Follow the on-screen steps. Facebook will scan for issues and may prompt you to strengthen your password, turn on two-factor authentication, or set up a passkey. Choose Fix Now where offered.
You can also simply follow any in-app prompt if one appears. Legitimate emails come from security@facebookmail.com; Meta never asks for your password via email or message. Always navigate to settings directly if you’re unsure.
Check how this looks in your Facebook account, under settings.
Additional Security Measures
In addition to enabling Advanced Protection, consider implementing these additional security measures:
Trusted Contacts: Designate trusted contacts who can help you access your account in case you’re locked out or need assistance.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security by enabling 2FA, which requires a second form of verification in addition to your password.
Login Alerts: Turn on login alerts to receive notifications whenever your account is accessed from a new device or browser.
Benefits of Facebook Protect
Advanced Protection offers a range of valuable benefits to enhance the security of your account and provide you with peace of mind.
Advanced Account Security
With Advanced Protection, you benefit from enhanced account security features that help safeguard your personal information and prevent unauthorized access. This includes proactive monitoring for potential threats.
Real-Time Alerts
Advanced Protection provides monitoring and alerts related to suspicious account activity, such as unrecognized logins or attempts to change your password. These help you take quicker action to protect your account.
Compatibility with Other Security Features
Advanced Protection works alongside existing security measures. Whether you have two-factor authentication, login alerts, or other features in place, it complements them and provides an additional layer of defense.
Conclusion: Protect Your Facebook Account
In conclusion, Facebook Advanced Protection (formerly Facebook Protect) offers essential security features to safeguard higher-risk accounts from unauthorized access and potential threats.
By enabling stronger login methods such as two-factor authentication or passkeys, along with the extra monitoring, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your account. It can also help if you ever get locked out of your Facebook account.
Considering the increasing prevalence of online security threats, implementing Advanced Protection for your account (when eligible or required) is a proactive step. It helps protect the safety and integrity of your personal information and digital identity.
Your Turn
Have you had to turn on Advanced Protection for your account? If you know anyone who may need this—or anyone running for political office- be sure to let them know about this protection feature from Meta.
FAQS: Facebook Advanced Protection
It is a security feature made to help protect higher-risk Facebook accounts. It offers additional layers of security, such as stronger login requirements (two-factor authentication, passkeys) and monitoring for potential hacking threats.
Advanced Protection works by requiring stronger login methods beyond just a password when logging into your account. It also includes monitoring for potential security threats, such as unauthorized login attempts or suspicious activities.
Using this protection can significantly enhance your account’s security by making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access it. By enabling stronger authentication and monitoring, you can reduce the risk of your account being compromised.
Yes, Advanced Protection is a free security feature available to eligible Facebook users. You can enable it in your account settings (or follow a prompt) at no additional cost.
If you suspect unauthorized access to your account, you should immediately change your password and review your recent account activity. Additionally, consider contacting Facebook support for further assistance in securing your account.
Accounts that are required to have Advanced Protection generally cannot unenroll. If you turned it on voluntarily, you can usually disable it by adjusting your account settings under Password and security. Keep in mind that disabling it may leave your account more vulnerable to unauthorized access.
In most countries, you may get locked out of your Facebook account until you complete the required steps.
Disclosure: This Inspire To Thrive blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Some sections were drafted with AI tools and carefully reviewed/edited by me.
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Hello, Lisa,
Facebook protect is a elite security suite for high profile members. It has some excellent security features to secure your facebook account and its content. Hope Facebook make it for other facebook users as well.
Regards,
Vishwajeet