Warning Signs That You’ve Been Hacked
With all the advertising around regarding safety online, what do you need to look for if you suspect that you’ve been hacked?
Account changes you didn’t make
If your accounts show changes you didn’t make, look for new phone numbers or recovery email addresses you didn’t add. Check for any unfamiliar logins, especially from another country or device you don’t own. Has your 2FA been deleted or are there changes to your security questions? These could all be signs that a scammer has already accessed your account and is surreptitiously maintaining it.
Suspicious transactions
Keep a watchful eye on all your accounts and question any unknown charges or wire transfers you didn’t authorize. Missing funds are a sign that your banking credentials or payment data has been compromised. Hackers will often bide their time to avoid triggering fraud alerts. Be especially mindful of even small transactions you didn’t make – they are testing the waters.
External alerts from your bank
Banks will often flag suspicious transactions before you discover the hack yourself. Never dismiss these external alerts and treat each one as legitimate until you can confirm otherwise.
Passwords that no longer work
You should be especially concerned if your passwords cease to work. If you can’t get through the password reset process, it would mean that someone has changed your credentials and locked you out. You must act immediately.
Your mouse is moving on its own
If you ever see your mouse cursor moving on its own when you’re not touching the mouse or trackpad, it means someone is actively controlling your computer in real time. Disconnect from the internet immediately.
Browser hijacking
Browser hijackers can swap your default search engines or homepage and install toolbars without your permission. If you type in a URL and find it sends you to somewhere unexpected or unfamiliar, it is possible your device has been compromised. Don’t click on any links you are not familiar with.
Fake antivirus pop-ups
Be especially cautious of antiviruses that demand prompt attention. If pop-ups warn you about infections you never scanned and tell you the matter is urgent, don’t click on the link to “fix the problem”. That’s just malware trying to get you to install even more malware. At The Computer Workshop, we recommend Avast Antivirus to protect your equipment against these viruses. It’s inexpensive and effective so you no longer need be concerned if you see these malware attempts.
Ransomware
If you ever see a ransomware message demanding payment to unlock or restore your files, DO NOT PAY. Disconnect from the internet and notify your IT support team. Paying never works and often marks you as an easy target.
