Facebook to warn users of state-sponsored cyberattacks

Facebook has announced that users will be informed when it thinks their accounts are under a state-sponsored cyberattack.

The company also said it will start encouraging users to keep their “login approvals” security mechanism turned “on” if they sense any kind of attack on their accounts. With the notification turned on, users can only gain access to their accounts through a two-step authentication process.

The login approval feature is designed to warn users promptly in case their accounts are accessed on another web browser or any new device by sending a code to the user’s phone or computer.

Facebook Security Chief Alex Stamos explained in a blog post that users will be given the additional warning if the company suspects there is a state-sponsored attack, reports Motherboard. Stamos further added that users should immediately try to replace or rebuild their computers or laptops after seeing the warning message.

He also said the warning wasn’t meant to compromise Facebook's infrastructure but to help users take the necessary precautions to secure their online accounts or replace their gadgets in case of emergencies.

Stamos didn’t reveal how Facebook was going to trace the infiltration of user accounts. He did, however, state that Facebook needs to “protect its integrity” and procedures, reports ITNews.

Though this new move seems to be a strong warning against attackers and hackers, it didn’t sit well with NSA whistleblower, Edward Snowden. He asked Facebook to decide who it works for -- the government or its users.

Facebook co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg went a step further with his protest against state-sponsored attacks in the US by calling President Obama in March 2014. He expressed his disappointment over the damage caused by the government to virtual properties. With these pro-privacy initiatives, the social media giant remains one of the most outspoken Silicon Valley companies defending user privacy.