What to Do After You’re Hacked

Recovering from a hack can be stressful, but by following these steps, you can secure your accounts and devices and minimize the damage.

You've been hacked and are not sure what to do. This is a quick list of what you could do immediately.

Assess the Damage

• Identify Compromised Accounts - List all accounts that might have been affected. Pay close attention to email, banking, and social media accounts.
• Notify Relevant Parties - Contact your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions to alert them of the breach and to monitor for fraudulent activity.

Disconnect from the Internet

Disconnect your device from the internet to prevent further unauthorized access. Pull the plug 🔌.

Change Passwords

Change the passwords for your online accounts, starting with the most critical ones (banking, email, and social media).

Use a different device to do this if you suspect that your current device is compromised.

Secure Your Devices

• Run Antivirus and Anti-Malware Scans - Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware software to scan your devices for infections.
• Update Software - Ensure your operating system, browser, and other software are up to date with the latest security patches.
• Consider a Fresh Install - If you suspect your device is severely compromised, consider reinstalling the operating system to eliminate any persistent malware.

Secure Your Accounts

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) - Enable 2FA on all accounts that offer it. This adds an extra layer of security.
• Check Account Recovery Options - Ensure your account recovery options (email, phone number) are accurate and have not been altered.
• Review Account Activity - Check recent activity on your accounts for anything suspicious and take note of unauthorized changes or transactions.

Protect Your Identity

• Monitor Your Credit - Check your credit report for any unusual activity. Consider starting a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
• Report Identity Theft - Report theft to the proper authorities.

Inform and Educate

Notify your close contacts to prevent further spread of the hack. Also, inform your email and social media contacts that you’ve been hacked so they can be cautious of suspicious messages.

Learn from the Incident

Educate yourself on cybersecurity best practices. Consider taking an online course or reading up on recent security threats and how to avoid them. The goal is to prevent future hacks.

Backup and Recovery

Do regular backups to ensure you have access to your data in case of future issues. Also, set up regular automated backups of important files to a secure location (e.g., external hard drive, cloud storage).

Create a Recovery Plan

Be prepared for any future incidents. Develop a detailed plan outlining steps to take if you are hacked again, incorporating lessons learned from this incident.

Conclusion

Recovering from a hack can be stressful, but by following these steps, you can secure your accounts and devices; minimizing the damage. Stay vigilant and take preventive measures to protect yourself in the future.

If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Be careful,

Antonio