Facebook sent a notification to its users on October 26, Friday, stating that their social network account and other Web accounts could become the target of "state-sponsored actors," and recommended switching on Login Approvals to thwart hackers. When users use a new mobile device or browser, the social media giant will send a security code for logging in. However, critics have argued that the alert's government hack warning is unclear and confusing.
Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos made the post. It states that the company usually will be unable to provide details about how it learned about the possible attacks, or why it believes a government is responsible for it.
In the past Facebook has notified its users when their account seemed to be compromised. However, it believes the most recent ones to be more dangerous.
Critics claimed that Facebook's notification was unclear. A better way of phrasing it would be to warn that hacker criminals funded by foreign countries' governments could steal private user data, according to Tech Crunch.
The alert also suggests that Facebook users take steps to "secure" the various accounts they use. It did not recommended changing passwords for all websites and mobile apps, while conventional wisdom states that activating Facebook's Login Approval feature to beef up security should be a secondary step.
Facebook seems to be taking steps to protect its brand, databases, and users, by issuing a warning about possible hack attacks. It is technically not required to provide such reminders.
Google issued a similar alert system for state-backed attacks in 2012, according to FastCompany. Then in May it launched a security feature that asked basic check-up questions about issues such as forgetting to log out and sharing passwords.
Critics argue that the social network should use more precise and down-to-earth wording, as victims of major hack attacks could possibly stop logging in to their Facebook accounts, or even switch to a rival company. It's just good business.