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14 signs of being hacked and what you can do about it

 

If your accounts or devices ever get hacked, there will be signs that tell you about it. But bad actors try to hide them in the background or make it seem like your devices or apps are simply acting up. 

Keep reading this Surfshark Blog article and learn to recognize if you’ve been hacked, minimize the damages, or prevent it from happening again.


 

How to know if you’ve been hacked? 14 warning signs

As technology advances, so do hacking techniques. An FBI report on 2022 internet crime statistics showed a staggering increase of 49% in losses related to internet crime, which resulted in total losses of $10.3 billion. And since falling into a hacker’s trap is easier than ever, you should always be on the lookout for these signs:
 

• Device slowed down significantly
  
  Slowing down is part of the natural aging process for computers, phones, and other devices. So it might just be your device getting old. But if the change happens suddenly, it could indicate hidden processes in the background. 
  
  
• Unusual text messages from you
  
  Are your friends receiving suspicious messages from you? Unless you went on a wild bender the night before, it’s likely someone has access to your device and is sending messages with malicious links to hack more people.
  
  
• More ads after installing new software
  
  Recognizing infected software can be a bit tricky as hackers will try their hardest to make it look legitimate. But if you noticed random ads popping up after you installed a new piece of free software, chances are that the software was malicious and has now infected your device.
  
  
• Notifications about login attempts
  
  Some websites or services inform you whenever a login attempt is made. Getting such notifications without actually using your accounts is sketchy. 
  
  If you’re receiving notifications about failed login attempts, the hackers probably got your email from somewhere and are trying to break in. If the log-ins are successful, your passwords are also in bad hands. Whatever the case, immediately change all your passwords and make each of them unique.
  
  
• New software installed on your device
  
  If apps that you didn’t install start appearing on your device, someone else may have access to it. In fact, any changes that you didn’t make yourself are a red flag. So keep an eye on your apps and files, and don’t ignore anything that seems off.
  
  
• Redirected internet searches
  
  Are your searches suddenly being sent through some search engine that you’ve never heard of? This is one of the more common indications of malware. On top of that, you may notice plugins being added to your browser without your consent. 
  
  If you see any of this happening, stop using your browser. Such search engines are typically used to track and log user activity data. Your data may then be sold to third parties who could use it to run targeted ads or phishing campaigns.
  
  
• Charges in your bank account
  
  You look at your bank account and see charges for things you never purchased. In this case, hackers may have gained access to your banking details by hacking your device or because of a data leak. Freeze your accounts immediately and contact your bank for further action.
  
  
• More spam
  
  Some amount of spam is nearly unavoidable. But if you notice a sudden increase in the number of spam emails or messages you’re receiving, something is off. More often than not, it’s not a hack but rather a result of a data leak or aggressive marketing tactics by some website or app you’re using. 
  
  In any case, spam messages and emails may contain malicious links. Avoid interacting with them in any way and send these emails straight to the spam folder. After you do so, look into data removal services such as Incogni that can help you reduce the amount of spam. 
  
  
• Random mouse movements
  
  If your mouse starts moving and clicking without your input, it’s very likely someone has taken over your computer. Sure, it may be just a mouse malfunction, but if it persists after disconnecting your mouse, you need to turn off your device immediately, save important files, and perform a factory reset.
  
  
• Antivirus or Firewall warnings
  
  If your antivirus or firewall is trying to warn you about a malicious file or suspicious activity — don’t ignore it. In most cases, a reliable antivirus is the best way to prevent viruses and malware from reaching you in the first place. 
  
  
• Camera light is on
  The light next to your laptop camera indicates that the camera is on. And if the light is on when you’re not in a video call or another activity requiring a camera, well, I’ve got some bad news for you. 
  
  Sometimes, it may just be a software malfunction, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. So cover that camera up and run a malware scan immediately.
  
  
• Antivirus or firewall is disabled
  
  Bad actors try not to get caught when hacking your device. In order to achieve this, hackers spread viruses that may be capable of disabling your antivirus and firewall. As a result, you don’t get warnings about malicious apps or files on your computer. So make sure to periodically check if your firewall and antivirus are active. 
  
  
• Suspicious posts on social media
  
  Bad actors may hack social media accounts and create malicious posts. You’ve probably seen such posts before. They typically include a catchy headline or provoking information with a link that promises to provide more information. 
  
  As soon as you click on the link, you may become a victim of a hack. Worse,  the same post may appear on your timeline, spreading the infection further. The best way to avoid getting hacked on social media is to not click any suspicious links on the internet, and regularly check your social media profiles for unwanted activity.
  
  
• All other unusual activity
  
  While naming each tiny detail isn’t possible, remember this: if something is happening on your device and you’re not the one doing it, it’s definitely a cause for concern. Let’s get into what you can do about it and how to prevent future hacking.
  
   
  
  
  What should you do if you’ve been hacked?
  
  A hand holding a smartphone and a speech bubble coming out of the phone with words: change password?
  Getting hacked is never a pleasant experience. It’s easy to panic when you realize someone has taken over your online profiles, devices, or even your bank account. But instead of pressing the panic button, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage.
   
  
  
   
  • Change your passwords
    
    Changing your passwords is often the first thing you should do if you’ve been hacked. Make sure they’re all unique. Bad actors may try to gain access to different accounts by using the same password and cause even more damage.
    
    If only your account, and not your entire device, got hacked, changing your password might be enough to solve the issue. 
    
    Keeping track of many different passwords is hard, so you might want to think about using a password manager.
    
    
  • Contact customer support
    
    You should reach out to the platform or website’s customer support team where your account was compromised by hackers. They should help you check for any damage to your account and resolve any issues.
    
    
  • Recover hacked accounts
    
    If the hacker has managed to change your account password, not all hope is lost. Most platforms, apps, and websites offer ways to recover stolen accounts. Even if you don’t plan to use that account in the future, it’s best to recover and delete it. Otherwise, hackers may be able to use it under your identity.
    
    
  • Freeze your bank account
    
    Weird charges on your bank statement? If bad actors get your banking credentials, you should freeze your account immediately and contact the bank. In most cases, the bank will be able to reverse fraudulent payments, and you will get your money back. However, you might have to change your cards and banking details.
    
    
  • Warn your friends and family
    
    Hackers often use hacked social media accounts to send malicious messages or posts that spread the virus to other users. So warn your friends and family not to click on any links or interact with the messages sent from your accounts.
    
    
  • Disconnect from the internet
    
    Bad actors need an internet connection to access your devices remotely. If you suspect you’ve been hacked, disconnect from Wi-Fi and turn off mobile data so that none of your devices have access to the internet.
    
    On top of that, it’s a good idea to disconnect any other devices from your Wi-Fi network, as some hackers may infiltrate the entire network rather than just a single device.
    
    
  • Delete apps you don’t use
    
    Notice strange apps on your device that you can’t remember installing? Delete them immediately. It’s likely a piece of malicious software that allows the hacker to track your actions or even take control of your device. Even if it’s just a seemingly harmless app that you never use, it’s better to be safe than sorry and get rid of it.
    
    
  • Reinstall your operating system
    
    Unfortunately, sometimes a hacker may completely take over your device. The only thing you can do is wipe it clean. You can do so by performing a factory reset on your phone or re-installing the operating system on your computer. 
    
    Keep in mind that everything on your device will be deleted. Make sure to save precious files like pictures, videos, or notes on an external hard drive or on the cloud.
    
    How to protect yourself from being hacked? Read on below the full Surfshark article so you will be properly informed and have better perspective to defend yourself!
    
     
    
    14 signs of being hacked and what you can do about it
    
    How to protect yourself from being hacked