Phone numbers can be revealed if using 2FA via SMS on Facebook

2FA (two-factor authentication) is a great security solution and everyone should use it. But 2FA-based SMS is not the best choice, and now the two-factor authentication via SMS is worse than on Facebook. When enabled, this feature allows people to find someone using their own phone number to search.

Previously, anyone could go to Facebook and use the phone number to search for a specific person. If you already have a phone number on your Facebook account, your name will immediately appear when someone searches. But in April last year, this feature was removed to ensure user data privacy. However, the search feature by phone number still works in Messenger.

But now, it has been discovered that if you use your phone number for 2FA based on SMS, Facebook will use this number to help people find you. Although the phone number search function is still disabled, but if your number is in someone's phone book and that number is uploaded to the Facebook search engine, your account will show up immediately. instantly.

Honestly, this is ridiculous. If the only reason you give Facebook your phone number is to increase the security of your account and now Facebook uses it to take advantage of more contact information, that's a big problem. . This will not happen if Facebook is not shady in managing user data.

Unfortunately, there is currently no way to thoroughly resolve this. But users can restrict somewhat by visiting Facebook Settings> Privacy and setting the ' Who can look you up using the phone number you provided ' option (those who can search for you using numbers the phone you provided) to 'Friends'. This is one of the most private options.

Phone numbers can be revealed if using 2FA via SMS on Facebook Picture 1

On the other hand, there are a few other options like deactivating your Facebook account (many people are not ready to do this); stop using Facebook 2-factor authentication (not recommended) or use another form of 2FA. If you don't want to disable your account, the last option is probably the best. Switching to a better security method without using a phone number is always a great idea.

There are many authentic applications out there, but Authy has a lot of people to choose from. Authy uses the same system based on the familiar code that we used for SMS-based authentication, but instead of receiving text messages containing code, users just need to activate Authy application and get the code from there. .

To set up a Facebook account with Authy, go to the Facebook settings section, then go to Security and Login . (On mobile devices, readers can find this item in Settings & Privacy> Settings ).

Phone numbers can be revealed if using 2FA via SMS on Facebook Picture 2

Scroll down to Two-Factor Authentication section and click the Edit button in ' Use two-factor authentication ' section.

Phone numbers can be revealed if using 2FA via SMS on Facebook Picture 3

Here, users can set up an authentication application (or even use a security key).

Phone numbers can be revealed if using 2FA via SMS on Facebook Picture 4

Your account is even more secure than before and Facebook will not use your phone number for any purpose you don't want anymore.

Hope you are succesful.