Should know
The risks of your computer getting hacked have increased with technological advancements. Of course, everything has certain pros and cons and so does technology. There are some people who use technology for good causes and then there are some people who use the technology for illegal activities.
One of these illegal activities is hacking. Your computer might be hacked without your knowledge and it could be a demanding task to figure this out. However, there are some symptoms that you could observe to make a confirmation whether your computer is actually hacked or not. In this article, we are going to find out how to fix a hacked computer.
How to Know Whether My Computer Is Hacked Or Not?
To make a confirmation about this hacking problem you need to observe the events carefully which are taking place on your computer. If you detect any suspicious activities then it might be an indication that your computer has been hacked!
Some other common symptoms are mentioned below.
- Redirection to a site you didn’t want to visit
- Installation of an unfamiliar app
- The appearance of annoying pop-up ads
- Slowing down your computer
- Increment in third-party activities
- Emails being sent from your account
- The web browser looks and functions differently
These are the most experienced symptoms among the users. So if you come across any of these then it means your computer has been hacked.
Methods to Fix a Hacked Computer:
Don’t worry if your computer has been hacked because there are various ways using which you can get out of this trouble. As this is a sensitive issue so you need to carefully perform each and every step. Try the following fixes to solve this hacking issue.
- Resetting Passwords
Passwords are very sensitive, they need to be protected at every cost. If you are a social media freak then you would be having many passwords including (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) You need to reset all of these passwords. There might be some other passwords that are related to your device (laptop, phone, or PC) make sure you reset these passwords as well.
But if you want to make a confirmation before resetting the passwords then you can check whether there has been a data leak or not. For this different software are available, you just need to enter your email address and the report will inform you which website has or has not compromised your personal data. If you witness a leak then change the password of the corresponding app accordingly.
- Logging Out of Online Accounts
You might have performed multiple logins in various online accounts. You need to log out of them as soon as possible. Doing this will help you to maintain security and if you have recently reset the passwords even then it is important to log out and then perform a log-in.
- Disconnecting From the Internet
The Internet is a great source of hacking for hackers. They can trace your system’s IP address and can perform illegal activities easily. So if you are not using the internet then stay disconnected from it. Along with this, switch the tablets and phones to airplane mode.
If you come across a need to use the internet then make sure you are also using an authentic VPN. The VPN will protect your data through encryption and the hacker will be restricted from performing illegal activities.
- Removal of External Devices
You need to remove the external devices that are currently connected to the computer/laptop. External devices include USB, joysticks, etc. But don’t just remove these devices immediately, first choose the option of “Eject” and then safely remove these external devices.
If it is guaranteed that your computer has been hacked then you need to remove the hard drive as well. Copy all the important data into a safe place, you can also use cloud storage or google drive. After that remove the hard drive. The placement of this drive might vary from one laptop to another.
- Using An Anti-Virus Program
Your system might be infected with some kind of malware or virus. Such programs will replicate themselves on the computer and will cause damage to your personal data. They can even take control of your computer and are capable to perform illegal activities.
- Format the Hard Drive
In case of confirmation that your computer is affected by the virus, you need to format the hard drive. To do this you have to use a downloadable program which would delete all the files. There are two things that demand your attention.
First, the data will be deleted permanently and will not come back ever. So you must have all the important stuff backed up before formatting the hard drive. Second, it is not safe to perform a manual format because then there might be some files that will still be residing in your system.
- Use the Latest Security Software
To protect your system against hacking, you need to use the latest security software. This will definitely protect your computer in the best possible way and you won’t face any trouble in the future.
- Inform Your Closed Ones
One of the symptoms of hacking is that the hackers use your email ID to send unknown emails to the people in your contact list. It is a good thought to let others know that you are not the one who actually sent it. Secondly, informing others will also create a sense of security among them and they will also stay alert to avoid such inconvenience.
- Keep a Check On Your Finances
Make sure you check your finances regularly. If you notice any strange activity then it is time to get concerned and fix the related issue as soon as possible.
How to Avoid the Hack Again?
It is very common that people to fall into the trap of hacking. But you can always avoid such traps by following the below-mentioned tips.
- Stay up to date regarding the latest technology and its drawbacks too
- Use strong and unique passwords and don’t share them with others
- Make it a habit to use an authentic VPN all the time
- Use a reputable anti-virus software
- Always keep a backup of your data
- Keep your devices close to you, especially in public
Conclusion:
In the tech world, it is very common to get attacked by hackers. There is a whole group of such people. Although ethical hacking can be used for a good cause illegal hacking is strictly prohibited. So if you face such attacks then it is important to take all the essential steps and get rid of them. There are certain methods to detect the hack and eradicate it accordingly. Make sure you follow each and every process carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why did I get hacked in the first place?
The reason for getting hacked in the first place might be one of the following
You have used a common or weak password
You have clicked on a fake pop-up ad
You have left your devices unattended
You have downloaded an application that contains a virus
Why is it important to use a VPN?
The Internet is a great source of hacking for hackers. They can trace your system’s IP address and perform illegal activities. Using a VPN will encrypt all your data and the hackers won’t be able to alter it or use it. But use a reputable VPN because ordinary VPNs don’t provide high security.
Is Windows Firewall Defender sufficient to stay protected against hacking?
No, Windows Firewall Defender isn’t sufficient to stay protected against hacking. It can only detect small problems but the major problems stay undetected. So make sure you use another additional anti-virus program as well.
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