Online Security Module

Lesson 4: Managing Compromised Accounts

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Part 1

Security threats

Hacking is unauthorized access to your accounts or devices. There are different methods for hacking, including brute force, phishing and scams, some of which we will discuss in more detail in later modules.

A hacker is someone who uses your personal information for unethical purposes. They might use your personal information to control your devices, create false identities, install malware or ransomware on your devices or share your personal information for their own gain.

Possible Threats

Once a hacker has access to your device or personal accounts and information, they may try to:

• Install malicious software (such as spyware or ransomware)
• Modify your network connections or device settings
• Steal personally identifiable information, including credit card information and passwords
• Watch what you are doing online, or in-person via your webcam

Part 2

Spotting compromised accounts

Hacking is a security concern for your own accounts as well as the accounts of your friends, family and other people you interact with online. Compromised accounts can cause serious financial consequences, but also can have a negative impact on your online reputation.

This lesson will teach you about warning signs that an account or device has been compromised. You will also learn what steps to take if your account is compromised.

Notice unusual behavior

• Applications or programs crashing or taking a long time to load
• Increased attempted logins from unknown devices or locations
• Increased data usage for unexplained reasons
• Significant slow-down on your device, programs or websites
• Unexplained online activity or purchases

Part 3

Recovery steps

Your recovery steps will be different depending on whether you can still access your account, which application or device is compromised and a variety of other factors:

1.Contact the account provider:

• Depending on if you can still access your account or not, the provider will give you suggestions on next steps to take. You will likely need to give them additional information to verify your identity and restore access to your account, if it is locked.
• If a group or person claims to have accessed your account, do not click on links they send. These links could be attempts to hack your account.

2.Change passwords and settings

• Change the password of the compromised account and other accounts that use the same password, if any. Remember, it is not recommended to reuse passwords, as this poses a security risk.
• Check the settings of your account to make sure they have not been manipulated. For example, if your email is hacked, the hacker may have turned on a setting to automatically forward all your emails to another account.

3.Notify others:

• Let friends and family know that you have been hacked
• Sometimes hackers will send messages to friends from your hacked social media accounts. These messages may contain inappropriate content or malicious links, potentially compromising others’ accounts as well.
• If you have to create a new social media account, you will need to let friends, family and other contacts with whom you communicate online know the details of the new account so that they know it is legitimate.
• If appropriate, notify law enforcement or other authorities of online harassment.

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