In the last year alone, more than 33,600 people had their social media or email accounts hacked, with a staggering £1.4 million lost to cybercriminals.
The message from Action Fraud is clear: it’s time to take action and protect yourself.
To mark Cyber Security Awareness Month, Action Fraud is urging everyone to enable 2-Step Verification (2SV) on their accounts and use strong, unique passwords.
These simple steps can be the difference between keeping your accounts secure and falling victim to the next hacking attempt.
Why Are So Many Accounts Being Hacked?
Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly clever, using a range of techniques to gain access to your accounts.
Here are the two most common methods:
1. On-Platform Chain Hacking
Ever had a “friend” message you asking for an authentication code?
It might not have been them.
Cybercriminals are gaining control of accounts and impersonating the owner, tricking people into sharing these codes.
Once they have the code, they take over the account, use it to scam others, and promote fraudulent schemes under your name.
2. Leaked Passwords and Phishing
Data breaches happen more often than you think.
If you’re using the same password across multiple accounts, a leaked password from one site could leave all your other accounts vulnerable.
Phishing scams, where hackers trick you into revealing personal information, are also on the rise, making it even easier for them to break into your accounts.
How to Protect Yourself
Here’s what you can do right now to secure your accounts:
Use Strong, Unique Passwords:
• Your email and social media passwords should be different from one another.
• A good rule of thumb is using three random words that are easy for you to remember but hard for anyone else to guess.
Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV):
• This gives you double the protection.
• Even if a hacker gets hold of your password, they still won’t be able to access your account without a second layer of authentication, like a code sent to your phone.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hacked
If you’ve fallen victim to hacking, don’t panic—here’s what you should do:
1. Act Fast: Contact your bank immediately if financial information is involved.
2. Report It: In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, report the incident to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland at 101.
3. Forward Suspicious Emails: Send phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk to help tackle the problem at its source.
Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for easy targets, but with strong passwords and 2SV, you can make sure you’re not one of them.
At Be Hard to Hack, we’re here to help you protect your digital life.
Whether it’s securing your accounts or learning how to spot a phishing scam, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to make your accounts harder to hack?
Let’s get started today.