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What to Do if Your Online Accounts Have Been Hacked

In an ideal world, we would like to believe that everyone is inherently good and only has positive intentions towards others. Unfortunately, this is not always the case as there are individuals with malicious motives who seek to exploit and profit from others. This includes hackers who can gain unauthorized access to your various online accounts on different platforms. Once they have breached your account's security, they have the ability to manipulate it and use it for their own purposes.

When a hacker gains control of your account, they potentially have access to highly sensitive information such as your credit card details or personal data. Furthermore, they may also attempt to hack into the accounts of those in your social circle by impersonating you. If you suspect that your account has been compromised or if it becomes evident that it has indeed been hacked, there are certain steps you should take.

Firstly, it is important to remain calm during this situation. Panicking will only hinder any progress made towards resolving the issue at hand. Instead, follow these tips which will be explained further based on the specific platform where the breach occurred: Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.

To address a general scenario where any online account has been hacked

1) Change Your Password: Start by immediately changing your password for all affected accounts.
2) Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Set up 2FA wherever possible as an added layer of security.
3) Check Connected Devices: Review any devices connected to your accounts and log out from suspicious ones.
4) Update Security Settings: Ensure that all security settings for each platform are up-to-date and robust.
5) Inform Friends/Followers: Let those in your social network know about the breach so they can be cautious too.

hacker

 My Facebook was hacked, what now?

  • To change your password, follow these steps:

    • First, click here.

    • Then, click on the "How to keep your account secure" option and carefully follow the instructions given to change your password and set up two-step verification.

  • If you are unable to log into your account, use this link to report the issue directly to Facebook. Inform them that your account has been hacked, and they will assist you in resolving the problem.

  • For any notifications received from [email protected] regarding changes made to your account, do not hesitate to take action. This email address is used by Facebook themselves for alerting users about any modifications made. If you did not make these changes yourself, there may be an option within the email itself with a secure link attached. Click on this link without worry and follow the provided steps to ensure that your account remains safe.
  • To check for any suspicious or unfamiliar websites or third-party apps connected to your Facebook profile, use this link. Review all permissions granted and remove any unnecessary third-party entities that you do not recognize or no longer need access from.

My Instagram was hacked, what now?

  • Click here if you need to reset your Instagram password.

  • Additionally, activating two-step verification adds an extra layer of security. To activate this feature for your Instagram account, click here and select a verification method - either a security app or SMS message - then follow the instructions provided.

  • Click here to report to Instagram that your account was hacked.

  • If you have received an email notification from [email protected], this is the official address used by Instagram to inform users about changes made to their registered email address. To reverse these changes, click on the "Secure my account" option within the body of the email.

  • Review your app permissions by clicking on this link, and check for any suspicious or unfamiliar websites or third-party apps. Remove any unnecessary third-party entities.

online security

My Whatapp was hacked, what now?

  • Go to Settings > Account > Change number and re-enter your phone number. You will receive a verification code on your mobile device which you need to enter in order to remove the hacker from your account.

  • To set up two-step verification on WhatsApp, go to Account > Two-step verification > Enable. Then, click on the activation link and select a PIN code for your account. From now on, every time your phone number is registered with the app, you will need to enter this PIN.

  • It's important to note that an intruder may have already set a PIN code for you. If this is the case, you will have to wait one week before being able to change it. However, once you've re-entered your phone and confirmed the SMS message you received, the hacker will no longer be able to access your account.

My Google Account (Gmail, YouTube etc.) was hacked, what now?

  • Firstly, click here to sign in to your Google account. 

  • Then navigate to "Security" in the right-hand navigation panel and select the password option. Change your password following these instructions.

  • To activate 2-step verification on your Google account, do the following:
    • Open your Google Account.
    • In the navigation panel, select Security.
    • Under “Signing in to Google,” select 2-Step Verification. Then select Get started.
    • Follow the on-screen steps.
  • Regularly review your account activity: On the Google account security screen, navigate to recent actions that impact account security. Look for any suspicious activity and if you find any, select it and then choose the "No, it's not me" option. Follow the on-screen instructions to secure your account.

  • It is also important to check the devices that have accessed your Google account. On the Google account security screen, go to device management and verify all listed devices. If there are any unfamiliar devices, select "Does not recognize a device?" and follow the provided steps to secure your account.

  • In case you are unable to log into your account altogether, access the recovery page by clicking here. Answer all questions on this page as accurately as possible.

  • Additionally, Google officially recommends that you contact your bank to ensure no unauthorized accounts or money transfers have been made in relation to your Google Account. This step is particularly crucial if you have stored sensitive information such as credit card details or personal identification documents like an ID card or passport within your Google Account.

clicking email security button

My Twitter was hacked, what now?

  • One of the first steps is to reset your password. To do this, you can click on this link that will direct you to Twitter's contact page, where you can request a password reset by entering either your username or email address. Once submitted, an email will be sent to you with instructions on how to proceed.

  • To set up a 2-step verification on Twitter, do the following:

    • In the side menu, click More, then click Settings and privacy

    • Click on Security and account access, and then click Security

    • Click Two-factor authentication.

    • There are three methods to choose from: Text message, Authentication app, or Security key. Choose the one you are most comfortable with and you're done.

  • It's also crucial to review and cancel any connections between third-party applications and your hacked account. By clicking here, you'll be directed to a list of linked applications associated with your account. Disable access for any applications that are unfamiliar or suspicious.

  • If all else fails and you're unable to log in at all, it's time to contact Twitter support directly for assistance. Again, here is the link to click that will take you straight to their support page where you can submit a request for help. Make sure to include the email address associated with the compromised account, along with details such as your username and when was the last date/time of access before the hack occurred.

My TikTok was hacked, what now?

  • To reset your password, follow these steps:

    • Go to TikTok, then tap Profile in the bottom right.
    • Tap the 3-line icon in the top right.
    • Tap Settings and Privacy.
    • Tap Manage account > Password.
    • Follow instruction to reset your password.
       
  • For added security measures, you can link your account to a phone number. In order to do this, access the Settings and Privacy menu (see section above for how) and select Account > Account Information > Phone Number. Enter your phone number accordingly.
  • If you suspect that someone else has gained unauthorized access to your account through another device, you have an option to disconnect the unknown device. Simply go into the Settings and Privacy menu and click on Security > Your devices. Next, remove any unfamiliar or suspicious devices by clicking on the trash can icon next to them.

laptops with locks in the foreground

My Netflix was hacked, what now?

  • To start with, change your Netflix password by clicking here.

  • If you encounter difficulty logging into your account, you can reset your password by receiving an email or text message on your mobile device. Simply click here and choose the method that suits you best. It is important to note that the option to reset via text message will only be available if a phone number is associated with your Netflix account.

  • In the event that you suspect unauthorized access to your account, you can click here to sever all connections between any devices linked to your Netflix account. This action will force the intruder to log out of the compromised account.

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