Small Business Hints: What Do You Need To Do If You Have Been Hacked

In the modern online world, privacy is a rare commodity. Big corporations know all about you, aided by data brokers that collect and collate all the data crumbs you leave as you wander the internet. But, compared to what happens if a criminal hacking team infiltrates your personal information, this lack of privacy is nothing. Businesses want to sell you things; criminal gangs want to steal your stuff. They'll as soon as possible monetize their unlawful access to your life, whether you realize it or not. Experts predict that 2022 will be the biggest year ever for data breaches. Your personal life will eventually be revealed. What can you do if you discover that your account has been compromised?

Step One

The first step is to take a deep breath and try not to panic. It’s natural to feel violated, exposed, and angry when you realize that criminals have been rifling through your personal information, but it won’t help you solve the problem. Once you’ve calmed down, it’s time to get to work fixing the damage.

You do need to figure out what all exactly has been hacked. If your email account has been compromised, that’s one thing; if your social media accounts have been taken over, that’s another. The steps you need to take will be different depending on the extent of the damage. In general, however, there are a few key steps you should take as soon as you realize you’ve been hacked.

Change your passwords, they could use it to access other accounts, such as your bank account or social media accounts. As you’re changing your passwords, make sure to create strong, unique passwords for each account. A password manager can be a big help here, as it can generate and store strong passwords for you.

Step Two

Second, enable two-factor authentication for all your accounts that offer it. Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when logging into an account. Even if a hacker has your password, they won’t be able to log into your account without also having your phone.

Step Three

Third, check your credit report for any unauthorized activity. If a hacker has your personal information, they could open new accounts in your name and rack up debt. Checking your credit report regularly is a good idea even if you haven’t been hacked, but it’s especially important if you have been. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once per year.

Finally, keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity going forward. Hackers could try to use your information again in the future, so it’s important to be vigilant. Set up account alerts so you’ll be notified if there’s any unusual activity, and check your accounts regularly for unauthorized charges or activity.

If you take these steps, you can minimize the damage from a hack and protect yourself from future attacks. Remember, however, that no security measure is perfect. Even if you do everything right, there’s always a chance that a determined hacker will find a way in. The best you can do is stay informed and take steps to protect yourself.