Account Compromised? Your First 60 Minutes are Critical. Here's the Emergency Action Plan.
It’s a feeling of digital dread. A strange email notification appears. You try to log into an account, and your password suddenly doesn’t work. The unsettling question creeps in: "Have I been hacked?"
In these first few moments, panic is a normal reaction, but clear, calm action is what will determine whether the situation is a minor inconvenience or a major crisis. Attackers rely on confusion to do more damage, so knowing the warning signs and having a plan is your most powerful defense.
This guide will walk you through five common signs that one of your online accounts has been compromised and provide a step-by-step plan for what to do immediately.
The Warning Signs: How to Spot a Compromise
An account takeover isn't always obvious. Attackers are often subtle at first, hoping to use your account for as long as possible without being detected. Here are the key indicators to watch for.
1. You Receive Unexpected Login or Security Change Alerts
This is the most direct warning sign. If you receive an email or text message from a service like Google, Apple, or your bank notifying you of a "new sign-in from an unrecognized device" or a "password change you did not authorize," take it seriously. Do not dismiss it. Attackers often trigger these alerts when they first gain access, hoping you will ignore it as spam.
2. You See Activity That Isn't Yours
Log into your social media, email, or cloud storage. Do you see strange activity?
Sent Emails: Are there messages in your "Sent" folder that you never wrote? Attackers often use compromised email accounts to send spam or phishing messages to all your contacts.
Social Media Posts: Are there posts, shares, or direct messages on your accounts that you didn't create?
Purchase History: Do you see recent purchases on shopping or streaming accounts that you did not make?
This is clear evidence that someone else has control of your account.
3. Your Friends or Colleagues Receive Strange Messages From You
Sometimes, the first person to notice a problem isn't you. An attacker might use your compromised social media or email account to send scam messages to your friends and family, often asking for money or trying to trick them into clicking a malicious link. If a friend calls you about a strange message they received from your account, it's a major red flag.
4. Your Password Suddenly Stops Working
You try to log in to a familiar account with a password you know is correct, but it's rejected. You try again, carefully, and it fails again. This is a strong indicator that an attacker has gained access and immediately changed the password to lock you out and take full control.
5. You Are Locked Out of Your Account Entirely
This is the most critical stage. An attacker has not only changed your password but may have also changed the recovery email and phone number associated with the account. This makes it extremely difficult for you to regain access through the standard "Forgot Password" process and requires you to go through the service provider's often lengthy account recovery protocol.
What to Do Immediately: A Step-by-Step Action Plan
If you recognize any of these signs, act immediately. Speed is essential to limiting the damage.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Try to Reclaim the Account | If you can still access the account, change the password immediately. If you've been locked out, use the "Forgot Password" or account recovery link on the service’s login page. This will usually send a reset link to your registered email or phone number. Act on it the moment you receive it. |
| Step 2: Force a Log-Out on All Devices | Once you are back in, look for a security setting that says "Sign out of all active sessions" or "Log out everywhere." This is a crucial step that will kick the attacker out of your account, even if they are still actively logged in on their own device. |
| Step 3: Check Your Recovery Information | In your account settings, carefully review your recovery email address and phone number. Attackers often change these to ensure they can regain access even after you reset your password. Correct any information that is not yours. |
| Step 4: Change Passwords on Other Important Accounts | If you reused that same password on other websites (especially for banking or email), you must assume those accounts are also at risk. Change those passwords immediately, starting with your most critical accounts. |
| Step 5: Review All Recent Activity | Look through your recent logins, sent mail, posts, and account settings for any changes or activity you don't recognize. This can help you understand what the attacker was trying to do. |
When a Simple Hack Becomes a Business Crisis
For an individual, a hacked social media account is a major headache. For a business, a compromised corporate email or cloud account is a potential catastrophe.
If you suspect a business-critical system has been compromised, the stakes are much higher. The attacker may have accessed sensitive customer data, financial information, or intellectual property. This is the point where a simple password reset is not enough. You have entered the realm of a security incident.
In this situation, you need specialists. At AKATI Sekurity, our Digital Forensic & Incident Response (DFIR) team are the experts you call when a breach occurs. We act immediately to:
Contain the threat and prevent the attacker from doing more damage.
Conduct a forensic investigation to determine exactly how the attacker got in and what data they accessed.
Securely restore your systems and provide a clear report on what happened.
Knowing the signs of a hack is the first step. Having a calm, clear plan to respond is the second. And knowing when to call for expert help is what separates a minor incident from a major business crisis.
If you believe your organization has been breached, do not wait. Contact the AKATI Sekurity incident response team immediately to contain the threat and secure your business.
Speak to us today: sales@akati.com
