With the methods of hackers becoming increasingly more sophisticated, cybersecurity is more important than ever.
But how do you know if you've been the victim of a hacking attempt or data breach, what gives it away and what should you do if you discover your accounts have been compromised?
Signs You Have Been Hacked
These are some of the warning signs to look out for that may suggest your device or log in details could be compromised by hackers.
-
Browser windows popping up without being requested
-
Default web browser being switched
-
Logging in to online accounts and finding your password no longer works
-
Receiving two-factor authentication codes for applications you have not signed into or used
-
Receiving emails or texts about log-in attempts in locations that sound unfamiliar or where you have not visited
-
Noticing any purchases of items you have not ordered, or reward points given for services you have not used
-
Any emails in your Sent folder that were not written by yourself
-
Receiving more spam emails than usual, particularly emails that include threats or attempts at extortion
-
Your friends and family let you know they have had weird messages from you that you didn't send
-
Devices may run slow or have more issues with crashing or overheating than usual
-
Websites popping up or opening by themselves without being requested
-
Webcam light turning itself on when seemingly not being used for any recordings
-
Mouse cursor movement and key strokes you have not entered yourself
What to Do if You Find You Have Been Hacked
Change ALL Passwords
Many people do not change their passwords frequently, with 53% having not changed their passwords in the last 12 months.
If you suspect you have been the victim of a data breach or hacking attempt change not only the password of the account that has been compromised but all passwords you use on other services.
Hackers will use one compromised account to gain access to other services and applications, so although time-consuming and a hassle to do so, you should always change all your passwords if you think you have been hacked.
Enable Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor or two-factor authentication is highly recommended as a means of securing your transactions, especially if credentials may have been compromised.
Passwords can easily be obtained by hackers through a variety of means, although they will normally only have one piece of the puzzle and use that to gain access to other services.
With 2FA you need the password along with an additional code sent to your phone or email. Having access to both the password and mobile phone makes it more likely the person attempting to log in is the legitimate user.
Contact Your Bank
In the case of a serious or known compromise to either your banking, PayPal, eBay, Xbox Live service, etc. or any service where you can make purchases, or that are linked to other accounts, you should contact your bank to block any online payments temporarily, or if this feature is not available, get new cards and account login details through the fraud department at your bank.
If necessary you can also put a hold on credit in your name by contacting the main bureaus Experion, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Scan Devices for Malware
When dealing with a cyber attack of any kind, you need to contain the threat initially and prevent further damage, time is of the essence in these situations and minutes can make the difference between thousands of pounds of damage.
Once the cyberattack has been blocked effectively you need to locate the source of the data breach. Scan your devices for viruses and malware, running a full system check to locate the malicious intruder.
How To Use Technological Solutions to Prevent Your Business Being Hacked
At Lyon Tech, we provide a range of cyber security solutions to give your business the most robust defence against any hacking attempt.
This includes:
- Live infrastructure monitoring—with dedicated security engineers analysing your systems continually, you are much more likely to detect any threats or issues
- Intrusion detection systems—with automated intrusion detection, the incoming threat can be identified and dealt with quickly
- 24/7 response teams and ongoing support—with rapid deployment teams on hand day or night, you can rest assured that whenever the hackers strike, there will be a trained professional ready to handle the situation
- Cyber training for your team—with the majority of data breaches occurring from human error or social engineering, we can help minimise this risk with effective and engaging training for your team so they will know how to protect data and what to do in a crisis
Get In Touch With Lyon Tech
If you are looking for state-of-the-art solutions to protect your business from a range of cyber threats, get in touch with our team today.
We can provide you with a full analysis of your existing systems and make recommendations as to which technology or service would most suit your business needs.
Hackers are becoming increasingly more sophisticated but Lyon Tech has the state-of-the-art tools to ensure your business has the most robust defence possible.
For more information on current cyber threats, check out our news section or contact our friendly advisors for more details that are specific to your industry and business setup.
