Strange posts, unknown login alerts and changed passwords can all mean a social media account has been hacked, Bona magazine reported. The publication listed the signs users should watch for and the steps to take.
Bona said cybercriminals target these accounts to get personal information, financial details or access to other online services. It said a hacked account does not always lock the owner out straight away.
In some cases, nobody notices the problem until a friend gets an odd message. Other times, the account starts sharing posts the owner never made, the magazine said.
The first sign Bona listed is activity the owner does not recognise. This includes unknown posts, comments, stories, direct messages or links shared from the profile.
Hackers may use a taken account to spread scams, push fake offers or send harmful links to followers. Bona said users should check their activity at once if friends report strange messages.
The magazine cited the US Federal Trade Commission, which said unexpected activity can show that someone else has gained access. Bona said users should look into it rather than blame a technical error.
The second sign is a login alert that does not match the owner’s own use. Platforms may send these when someone signs in from a new device, browser or place.
Bona said location alerts are not always exact. Mobile networks and VPNs can change the location shown, so one strange place does not prove a hack.
It advised users to check recent login sessions in their security settings. Any session they do not recognise should be signed out.
The third sign is a password that no longer works. Bona said attackers sometimes change the password first, then change other details to make recovery harder.
In that case, the magazine said users should use the platform’s official recovery process. It warned against recovery links from strangers and people who ask for money to restore an account.
The fourth sign is a changed email address or phone number on the account. Bona said these details are used to confirm identity and reset passwords, so losing them makes recovery harder.
The magazine also listed new accounts in the following list, likes on unseen posts and comments the owner does not remember making. It said attackers use taken accounts to follow suspicious pages and interact with promotions.
Bona advised users to review recent activity, their following list and connected apps. It said they should remove anything unknown and cancel access for unfamiliar outside services.
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends multifactor authentication to add another layer of protection, Bona reported.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Bona. Image: Bona. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.