Almost all of us use one or more social networks on a daily basis. These are spaces that we like to visit and on which we can share data that concerns us or interests us. However, they are also platforms that are easily accessible to certain malicious individuals, because we tend to relax our vigilance when managing them. But how do you know if you are the victim of hacking? What does this involve on a social network account? What should you do if necessary? We tell you everything in this file!
Hacking a social media account: what does it involve?
Whether used for personal or professional purposes, social networks have become prey to malicious individuals. Indeed, they can take control of them to satisfy various objectives, such as stealing personal or professional information, stealing banking data, usurping the identity of its holder, reselling its data, carrying out fraudulent transactions, defrauding the account holder, practicing blackmail or defamation, cyberharassing the holder, distributing illicit content, etc.
To achieve his goals, the hacker can obtain the logins and passwords of the social media account holder, especially if they are too easy to guess or if they are identical to another account that has already been hacked. Some malicious individuals also manage to steal these secure passwords through a phishing message or through a password-stealing virus.
Unfortunately, this type of hacking is very common and it is sometimes difficult to quickly notice that you are a victim. Indeed, very often, the owners of hacked social network accounts only notice the damage when they suffer the harmful effects. However, this type of malicious act can have serious consequences.
Yes, because hacking your social media account may just be the beginning. Indeed, if you use the same password to access other online accounts – including very important accounts like your banking space or other – the hacker can easily hack them. Thus, he can access your email account, the sites on which you practice online commerce, your various administrative spaces, etc.
But that’s not all! By hacking your social media account, the hacker can steal your identity. He can therefore steal compromising information about you, with the aim of swindling you for a ransom or using it for fraudulent purposes by pretending to be you. But he can just as easily pretend to be you to swindle your loved ones!
So, while social networks are an invention that has many advantages, they remain a relatively easy entry point to force for those who wish to access them for malicious purposes. It is therefore essential to exercise caution in order to protect yourself or, in the event of hacking, to act quickly and appropriately.
How do I know if my social media account is hacked?
It is not always easy to know that a social network account is hacked. In fact, it is common for the user not to even notice it. However, there are certain signs that should alert you.
While not all of these necessarily mean that your social media account is hacked, these different clues can be a sign of it. In fact, be vigilant in the following cases:
- you are unable to log in to your social network account using your usual credentials;
- you receive a notification indicating an attempt to connect to your social network account that was not initiated by you;
- certain data has been added or deleted from your social network account without your consent;
- some personal data has been modified from your social network account without your consent;
- your social media account settings have been changed without your consent;
- you notice the presence of messages or calls that you did not initiate;
- you receive messages in response to a message you did not send;
- data has been published on your social network page without your being the source;
- Among your contacts, some claim to have received a message that you did not send;
- you notice that an unknown device appears in your connection history.
These are the most common reasons for vigilance, but any action that is out of the ordinary should alert you and prompt you to exercise caution.
My social media account is hacked: what should I do?
It’s official, your social media account has been hacked. In this case, several actions are possible.
- Change your password immediately ! Reset your password quickly and be sure to change it on all accounts that use it to prevent the hacker from accessing your other online spaces. As a precaution, set a different password for each one.
- If you are unable to log in to your social media account, please contact us as soon as possible. with customer service of it in order to report the hack and request that your password be reset. Please note, however, that the procedure can be lengthy and that the platform is under no obligation to comply with your request.
- Enable two-factor authentication or two-step verification when offered to you. This means that when you want to log in to your account, you will be asked for a confirmation code to strengthen the security of your access.
- Check your connection history
and log out of your account from all sessions and devices that you do not know. However, be sure to save evidence of these intrusions by means of a photo or screenshot. This logout prevents the hacker from continuing to access your social network account despite your password changes. - Notify your bank of the situation and monitor your bank accounts to identify any suspicious transactions as quickly as possible.
- Notify your contacts.
- File a complaint depending on your situation. If your social network account is hacked and the hacker demands a ransom or an act in exchange, file a complaint on the THESEE platform set up by the Ministry of the Interior.
Filing a complaint following a hacking of a social account is not ridiculous, because this type of action is considered computer hacking. It is a criminal offense. So do not hesitate to go to the nearest police station or gendarmerie brigade accompanied by the evidence you have. Also know that l’association
France Victimsavailable at 116 006 (free call and service) can assist you in your efforts.
Be careful, because each social media platform has its own guidelines in case of hacking. While some offer support to victim users, others simply provide some advice. Still others completely absolve themselves of this type of malicious act and refuse to help their customers.
How to prevent risks?
Whether or not you are the victim of a hack of your social network account, it is always better to take measures to limit the risks. Indeed, hacking of this type of account is very common and it is made easy by the negligence of users. Far be it from us to blame the victims, but we all or almost all tend to relax our vigilance when it comes to accessing our personal or professional social network accounts, often underestimating the use that malicious individuals can make of them. However, the latter are very happy to take advantage of our excess of confidence and abuse it without our knowledge.
Here are some measures that will allow you to limit the risks of hacking of your social network accounts.
We use different passwords
While it may not always be easy to remember all your passwords, it is important to avoid using the same password for multiple social media accounts. By using the same code for each of your spaces, you are giving hackers access to all of your online accounts. It’s a bit like having only one key for your main residence and your second homes. All a burglar would have to do is enter a house to steal your key and gain access to all of your properties!
We choose complex passwords
We agree, it’s even harder to remember, but using complex passwords will be even harder for fraudsters to guess.
On active la double authentification
On all sites that offer it, activate two-factor authentication. This means that to access your social network account, you will need to enter an additional code that will be communicated to you by another means, usually by SMS. It is better to lose a few seconds when logging in than to be hacked!
We update our protections
To be as protected as possible, remember to regularly update your software, security updates, antivirus and firewall.
We do not open suspicious emails
Do not open suspicious emails that you receive from unknown people, chains or even known senders, but whose content seems unusual to you. Never click on links or open attachments, as they may contain viruses.
We do not transmit sensitive data about our account, by telephone or by email.
This data can be easily intercepted, retrieved and used without your knowledge.
We do not visit suspicious sites
Any unsecured site may contain malware or illegal content. Also be careful of pornographic content.
We check his last connection
When the site allows it, do not hesitate to check the date and time of your last connection in order to identify any possible anomaly.
We avoid public connections
Indeed, while public Wi-Fi is very convenient, we avoid connecting to it or using a public computer because hackers can control them more easily.
If you have no choice, be sure to log out immediately after using it to prevent anyone from accessing it after you leave.
