🛡️ What Is the First Thing You Should Change If You Are Hacked? : Facebook Hacked

Getting hacked is a nightmare—but acting quickly can limit the damage and help you recover. So, what is the first thing you should change if you are Facebook Hacked?  Your passwords, without a doubt. But there’s so much more to consider when dealing with a cyberattack.

This guide will walk you through 17 essential steps to secure your digital life after a hack. Whether it’s your email, bank account, or social media, knowing what to do next can make all the difference.

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🌐 Introduction to Cyber Attacks : Facebook Hacked

Cyberattacks come in all shapes and sizes—from phishing to ransomware. In 2024 alone, over 2,200 cyberattacks occur each day worldwide. Hackers target personal data, financial information, and even your identity.

Attacks can happen to anyone. And unfortunately, most people don’t realize they’ve been compromised until it’s too late.

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🚨 Signs That You’ve Been Facebook Hacked

🔍 Unusual Account Activity

One of the first red flags is unexpected activity—like receiving password reset emails or noticing logins from unfamiliar devices.

💻 Unexpected Pop-Ups or Redirects

If your screen is flooded with pop-ups or you’re being redirected to strange websites, malware might be at play.

🐢 Device Performance Issues

A sluggish device, constant crashes, or overheating can all signal background malware activity.

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🔑 The First Thing to Change: Your Passwords

🛡️ Why Passwords Are the First Line of Defense

Your passwords act as digital keys. If they’re compromised, hackers can access everything from your emails to your finances.

Changing your passwords immediately limits further intrusion.

🔒 How to Create Strong, Unique Passwords

Here’s a quick formula:

• At least 12 characters
• A mix of upper/lowercase letters
• Numbers and symbols
• No dictionary words

Example: T!m3To@ct2025#

📂 Password Managers: A Must-Have Tool

Tools like 1Password, Bitwarden, and LastPass help generate and store strong passwords securely.

🔗 External Resource: How to choose a password manager

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📧 Secure Your Email Accounts

Your email is the gateway to other accounts. Once hackers gain access here, they can reset your passwords elsewhere.

Steps:

• Change your email password
• Review login history
• Remove suspicious filters or forwarding rules

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🔐 Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA adds a second layer of security. Even if hackers have your password, they can’t access your account without the 2FA code.

Use authentication apps like:

• Google Authenticator
• Authy
• Microsoft Authenticator

Avoid SMS-based 2FA when possible—SIM swaps are a real threat.

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🧼 Run a Full Malware and Antivirus Scan

After changing your passwords and securing email, scan all your devices.

Recommended tools:

• Malwarebytes
• Windows Defender
• Norton 360

Make sure your antivirus definitions are up-to-date before scanning.

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💰 Check Bank and Financial Accounts

Hackers often go after your money next.

What to do:

• Monitor all transactions
• Notify your bank
• Cancel or freeze affected cards
• Set up fraud alerts

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📢 Notify Affected Parties and Authorities

Depending on the severity of the hack, you may need to:

• Inform your employer (especially if it’s a work device)
• Contact friends or contacts who might receive phishing from your account
• File a report with the FTC or local cybercrime unit

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💾 Restore from Backup (If Available)

If your system is riddled with malware or ransomware, restore from a clean backup.

Tips:

• Use offline or cloud backups
• Don’t restore from potentially infected files
• Test your backups regularly

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🔄 Update Software and Firmware

Outdated software is a hacker’s paradise.

Ensure you update:

• Operating systems
• Web browsers
• Antivirus tools
• Router firmware
• Apps and plugins

Turn on auto-updates when possible.

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🧹 Review and Remove Suspicious Apps or Extensions

Browser extensions and rogue apps often serve as backdoors for hackers.

Steps:

• Uninstall unknown apps
• Disable shady browser extensions
• Reset browser settings

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🔐 Change Security Questions and Recovery Options

Hackers often exploit these to regain access after being locked out or Facebook Account Hacked.

Choose questions with answers only you would know. Better yet, use made-up answers only you can remember.

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👁️ Monitor Your Credit and Identity

A data breach could lead to identity theft.

Use services like:

• Credit Karma
• Experian
• LifeLock

Watch out for:

• Sudden credit card applications
• New loans or accounts you didn’t open

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🧠 Educate Yourself to Prevent Future Attacks

Cyber hygiene is a lifelong habit.

Here’s what to practice:

• Don’t click unknown links or download files from untrusted sources
• Use strong, unique passwords
• Regularly back up your data
• Be skeptical of “too good to be true” offers

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the first thing to do if you get hacked?

Immediately change your passwords, starting with your email. Then enable 2FA and scan for malware.

2. How do I know if I’ve been hacked?

Look for signs like unusual logins, unexpected messages, slowed device performance, or security alerts from services.

3. Can hackers access my phone remotely?

Yes. Through spyware or malicious apps, hackers can listen, track, and steal data remotely.

4. Is changing passwords enough after a hack?

No. It’s a critical first step, but full recovery includes malware scans, 2FA, notifications, and identity monitoring.

5. Should I reset my phone or computer after being hacked?

If malware is deeply embedded, a factory reset may be necessary. But try malware removal tools first.

6. Can I recover stolen data?

Not always. But acting fast—reporting to services, banks, and law enforcement—can help reduce impact.

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🏁 Conclusion

Cyberattacks are stressful, but you’re not powerless. If you’ve been hacked, changing your passwords is the first thing to do—but don’t stop there. Follow the 17 essential steps in this guide to reclaim your digital safety and prevent future breaches.