Social Media Hacked: Signs Your Account May Be Compromised

Your aunt just got a hot tip from you about an amazing NFT investment opportunity and your best friend just got a sketchy link from you which she wasn’t sure she should open. Your social media has been hacked and you’re the last one to know. If this has happened to you, you are certainly not alone, as social media breaches are on the rise. A recent survey revealed that 22% of internet users said that their online accounts have been hacked at least once, while 14% reported they were hacked more than once. Celebrities like Adam Sandler, Mariah Carey, and Jack Dorsey have all been targeted. They have millions of followers and therefore a massive public platform. Although it is too early to know exactly how Carey and Sandler’s accounts were hacked, we know how someone took over Jack Dorsey’s account . It involved SIM-swapping . The culprits tricked Dorsey’s mobile phone provider into porting the telephone number to a smartphone belonging to the hackers. Once they have control of that number, the hackers can gain access to two-factor authentication codes sent by SMS. This is how many hackers gain access to thire targeted social media accounts of the stars. Reputation damage can be considerable. Imagine if your business gets hacked and hate speech, inappropriate images, or threats are posted and tweeted in your name. It’s a fiasco. Even a hacked smartphone is a big problem. Regardless of whether you are a high-profile person, a business, or just one of the billions of people out there who use social media to connect with friends, family, and networking contacts, you could be a victim of social media hacking. These are red flag signs to look out for and actionable steps to take if your social media has been hacked. You might have been hacked if: If one of your social media accounts has been hacked and you suspect your other apps may have been hacked, you can easily check by going to the security settings to see where you’ve logged in. If there is a suspicious login that clearly was not you, you have been hacked. The reason? A public Wi-Fi/wireless connection provides an easy way for anyone in the immediate area who wants to go online to do so. To make that happen, the security measures are often lower. In a lot of places you don’t need a password; at other places, there might be a password, but just about anyone can get it. Accepting a social media request from someone you don’t know isn’t inherently dangerous, but it’s often the start of a scam. It’s possible the person just wants to boost their number of friends, or they want you to follow them back. But it could be more nefarious than that. If your social profile is set so only accepted friends and followers can see your posts, accepting a random person lets a stranger see personal content. They’ll see who your friends and family are, important information about you like the town you live in or your birthday, and even photos of you. All of these details are exactly what someone needs to pull off a scam. Cybercriminals often use compromised accounts to hack new people. Just because it’s posted from your friend’s account or messaged to you from their account doesn’t mean your friend actually posted or sent it. Especially if the link looks suspicious, don’t click! The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer information page recommends you take the following actions: If you’re not sure how it happened, you can use either the security software that comes with your computer, phone, or tablet or download software from a reputable, well-known security company. Then, run it to scan your device for malware. If the scan identifies suspicious software, delete it, and restart your device. Microsoft has a built-in program that runs a malware scan on your PC for free . It’s incredibly simple, and can keep your computer safe. If you’re able to log into your email or social media account, change your passwords ASAP. If you use similar passwords for other accounts, change them, too. Make sure you create strong passwords that will be hard to guess. If you can’t log in to change your password, check the advice your email provider or social network has available. Several popular email service providers like Gmail and social media websites like Facebook and Twitter give advice on how to restore and protect your account . If someone took over your account, you might need to fill out forms to prove it’s really you who’s trying to get back into your account. While you’re updating your password, check if your email or social media account lets you turn on two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication requires a password plus something else — say, a code from an authenticator app — to prove it’s really you. Google Authenticator is an example of an app that can be connected to all of your online accounts and adds a solid layer of security. You shouldn’t grant third-party access to websites or apps that don’t follow community guidelines (as on Instagram or Facebook). And websites that offer free followers or likes are definitely a major red flag. After you log back in to your email account, check on a few things: Consider what kind of information the hacker might have seen. Hackers look for information that can help them find usernames and passwords to important sites, like online banking or retirement accounts. Consider changing the usernames and passwords for those accounts as well. In your email account, review the Sent, Trash, and Deleted folders. You might be able to uncover clues about what the hacker may have done. Search for emails that the hacker sent from your account, or that the hacker may have viewed and then deleted. In your social media account, check for messages that the hacker might have sent from your account. This will help you figure out what information was exposed. If it was, visit IdentityTheft.gov to find out what you should do next. If you the hacker misused your sensitive information, like your Social Security number, to access or open new accounts, to apply for government benefits, to file federal taxes, or any other misuse, report it. At IdentityTheft.gov , you can create an individualized recovery plan to help you recover from identity theft. Send your friends a quick email or text, or post something to let them know that you were hacked. Tell them not to click on links in emails from you or respond to a hacker’s fake pleas for help or money. If you’re emailing a bunch of people, put their email addresses in the Bcc line to keep them confidential. You could also send them this article, too. Report any scam posts or messages you encounter on social media to the platform so they can help stop the threat of hacking for other people’s accounts. Social media can be a great way to network, promote your business, and connect with friends and family. And although it is daunting and violating when someone hacks into your accounts, if you take proactive safety steps, you can prevent bad actors from accessing your social media accounts next time around.