What to Do If Your Social Media Account Is Compromised

A compromised social media account can pose serious security risks, potentially exposing personal information, damaging your reputation, and even facilitating scams that target your colleagues or students.

Recognizing the Signs of a Compromised Account

Being vigilant is key to identifying a compromised account. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Unfamiliar Activity: You notice posts, photos, or messages on your account that you didn't create or send.
• Password Change Alert: You receive a notification that your password has been changed without your knowledge.
• Profile Modifications: You discover unexpected changes to your profile information, such as your name, bio, or contact details.

If you suspect any of these signs, act swiftly to secure your account and minimize the damage.

Taking Action: Steps to Recover from a Compromise

1. Change Your Password Immediately: This is the most crucial step. Use a strong, unique password that you don't use for any other accounts. Here are some tips for creating a strong password:
   • Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.   
   • Aim for a minimum length of 12 characters.
   • Avoid using personal information like your birthday or pet's name.
2. Alert Your Contacts: Inform your friends, family, and colleagues that your account may have been compromised. This helps them be cautious of suspicious messages or links that appear to come from you.
3. Report the Compromise to the Platform: Most social media platforms offer reporting mechanisms for compromised accounts. Utilize these features to flag the issue and potentially recover your account.
4. Review Your Account Information: Carefully assess the information displayed on your profile. Remove or restrict access to any personal details that could be exploited for identity theft, such as your date of birth, address, or family member names.
5. Check for Password Reuse: Did you use the same compromised password on other accounts? If so, change those passwords immediately using unique and complex passwords for each account. A password manager can be a helpful tool for creating and storing strong passwords.
6. Scan Your Device for Malware: If you accessed your compromised account through a mobile device, scan for any recently installed applications or games that you don't recognize. Delete any suspicious programs immediately.
7. Monitor Your Financial Accounts: Review your email and online banking/credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. If you suspect fraudulent activity, change your passwords and report it to your financial institution immediately.

Preventing Account Compromise: Building a Strong Defense

While recovering from a compromised account is crucial, prevention is always the best course of action.

Here are some proactive measures you can take to safeguard your social media accounts:

• Unique and Complex Passwords: Implement unique and complex passwords for all your online accounts. Avoid reusing passwords across different platforms.
• Multi-Factor Authentication: Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all your social media accounts whenever available. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step beyond your password, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to access your account.
• Be Wary of Suspicious Links: Refrain from clicking on suspicious links or messages, even if they seem to come from someone you know. Phishing scams often impersonate familiar contacts to lure victims into clicking malicious links that can compromise their accounts.
• Public Wi-Fi Caution: Avoid logging in to your social media accounts on public Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi is inherently insecure and can be exploited by attackers to intercept your login credentials. If using public Wi-Fi is unavoidable, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for added security.
• Stay Informed: Keeping yourself updated on the latest social media scams and malware threats allows you to identify and avoid potential risks. Join the Privacy Matters Champions Network.

Go Further…

• How to Stay Social Media Secure
• Signs of a Compromise