If your account has been compromised or hacked, here are ways to regain control.
How do I know if my email or social network account has been hacked?
- There are posts you never made on your social network page. These posts often encourage your friends to click on a link or download an App.
- A friend, family member or colleague reports getting email from you that you never sent.
- Your information was lost via a data breach, malware infection or lost/stolen device.
If you believe an account has been compromised, take the following steps:
- Notify all of your contacts that they may receive spam messages that appear to come from your account. Tell your contacts they shouldn’t open messages or click on any links from your account and warn them about the potential for malware.
- If you believe your computer is infected, be sure your security software is up to date and scan your system for malware. You can also use other scanners and removal tools.
- Change passwords to all accounts that have been compromised and other key accounts ASAP. Remember, passwords should be long and strong and use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, and numbers and symbols. You should have a unique password for each account.
Here are some resources:
eBay
Help with eBay mail violations
Help with a hacked account
Help with inappropriate trading
eBay Security Center
PayPal
Help with suspicious emails
Help with a hacked account
PayPal Security and Protection Center
Help with cyberbullying and impostor profiles
Help with a hacked account
Facebook Help Center
Gmail/Google
Help with a hacked account
Help with an inaccessible account
General safety tips
Help with a hacked account
Help with an inaccessible account
Twitter Safety Center
Yahoo
Help with a hacked account
What to do if your account is sending spam
Help Center
Hotmail
Help with a hacked account
Help with an inaccessible account
Hotmail Help Center
YouTube
Help with cyberbullying
Help with flagging a spam-based video
Help with a hacked account
YouTube Safety Center
Protect Yourself with these STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Tips:
- Keep a clean machine: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.
- Make passwords long and strong: Combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create a more secure password.
- Unique account, unique password: Separate passwords for every account helps to thwart cybercriminals.
- When in doubt, throw it out: Links in email, tweets, posts, and online advertising are often the way cybercriminals compromise your computer. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete or if appropriate, mark as junk email.
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