Your computer slows down, crashes, or displays repeated error messages. Your computer won’t shut down or restart when you tell it to. Your computer displays a lot of pop-ups. Your computer’s settings have changed drastically without your input. Some websites that you visit have inappropriate adds, or advertisements appear on websites that you don’t expect them to be on, such as government websites. You cannot remove unwanted software. Suspicious emails or messages are sent to your friends. Some of your external devices (such as cameras, microphones, or GPS devices) seem to be powered on even when you are not using it.
Browser toolbars which you didn’t add appear. System or browser settings have been changed. Your laptop battery drains faster than it should. [3] X Research source [4] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source
Windows Open Start Type in view network computers and devices Click View network computers and devices[5] X Research source Look for unusual items (the “ROUTER” item is your Wi-Fi router). Mac Open Finder or click the desktop. Click Go Click Network Look for unusual items.
Open Start Type in view network computers and devices Click View network computers and devices[5] X Research source Look for unusual items (the “ROUTER” item is your Wi-Fi router).
Open Finder or click the desktop. Click Go Click Network Look for unusual items.
Stop shopping, banking, or doing other activity on the internet. Update your antivirus software. Restart your computer into Safe Mode (skip this step on mobile): Windows Mac Remove any recently installed programs. Restart your computer. Scan your computer with your antivirus software. You may want to use multiple antivirus programs to scan your computer. [6] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source If you’re still unsure, then you can reset your computer.
Install antivirus software. Windows 10 comes with antivirus software called Microsoft Defender. Update your computer. Keep your programs up to date, and don’t defer or disable Windows Update. Pay attention to security warnings. They are there for a reason. Don’t ignore them. Don’t click links or open unusual attachments in emails. Type the link directly into your browser, and ask the person who sent the email if they were the one who sent it to you. Only download software from the company’s website. For example, Adobe Reader should only be downloaded from Adobe. com. Scan USB drives before using them. Most antivirus software does this automatically, but it doesn’t hurt to run a manual scan. Back up your data. Once a week, copy your data to an external drive, then disconnect the drive. This will protect your data from ransomware. You can also back up your data to the cloud. [7] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source
If your account password won’t work and you didn’t change your password, look for a password reset email from the account. You can usually reset your password, and secure your account from such an email. Unfortunately, if you can’t log into your account and your email address isn’t accessible, the only thing that you can do is report the account as hacked to the company or service to which the account belongs.
On social media, you may also find that you’re following different accounts or that your bio has changed.
If you see people responding to you even though you didn’t send a message, you may have been hacked. [8] X Research source Avoid clicking links from anyone you don’t trust, and verify the contents of links with people you do trust before opening the links. [9] X Research source
If the hack took place well-before you created your account, you’re probably fine. If the hack took place any time after you created your account, change your password for the website and any connected services (e. g. , your email address) immediately. A staggeringly large number of high-profile websites such as Sony and Comcast are on the “Have I Been Pwned” list, so the chances that you have at least one potentially compromised account are high.
Enable 2-factor authentication (which verifies that you’re logging into your account by sending a text message to your phone) on any available platforms. Never use the same password twice (e. g. , use a different password for each of your accounts). [10] X Research source Change your password immediately if you ever accidentally leave your account logged in on a shared computer, smartphone, or tablet.
From this site, you can see a list of items on which you’re signed into your Apple ID. If you see an option that you don’t recognize, you can sign out of it and then change your password.
Be sure to use a password that’s unique to your Apple ID.
This method allows you to see a list of places where your Google account is currently signed in. If you see an option that you don’t recognize, you can sign out the account and change your password.
If you aren’t logged into your Google account, you’ll be prompted to log in before you can proceed.
Be sure to use a password that’s unique to your Google account.
If you aren’t logged in, enter your Facebook email address and password before proceeding. This method allows you to see a list of places where your Facebook account is currently signed in. If you see an option that you don’t recognize, you can sign out the account and change your password.
On some browsers, this icon resembles a gear instead.
You can also click Not You? and follow the on-screen prompts to report the incident to Facebook.
You can also click Not You? and follow the on-screen prompts to report the incident to Facebook.
You can also click Not You? and follow the on-screen prompts to report the incident to Facebook.
Be sure to use a password that’s unique to your Facebook account.
