What to Do When Your Social Media Gets Hacked

Social media has become a big part of our everyday lives.

As of March 2025, over 5.24 billion users are on these platforms. That means nearly two out of every three (63.9%) people worldwide are online.

This rapid growth has made these platforms attractive targets for hackers.

According to Action Fraud UK, from March 2024 to March 2025, over 35,000 email and social media hacking incidents were reported in the UK.

In this guide, we'll share how your social media account could get hacked, how to recover, and how to keep your accounts safe in the future.

Let's analyze why social media is particularly fascinating to hackers:

Personal Data - Your social media profile contains a lot of personal info like your birthdate, phone number, email address, and location. Hackers can use this to steal your identity, send phishing emails, or sell your details on the dark web.

Financial Profit - Many users, especially influencers or content creators, make money through their social media accounts. Hackers can take over these accounts to steal funds, redirect ad revenue, or even hold the account hostage for ransom.

Malware and Scams - If a hacker takes over an account, they can use it to send malicious links to followers. Since people trust the account owner, they’re more likely to click on harmful links.

Reputation Damage and Blackmail - Hackers can also steal private messages or embarrassing content. They might use this information to blackmail the user for money.

Access to Other Accounts - Social media accounts are usually linked to other online services like email. Once a hacker gains entrance to one account, they can gain access to others by resetting passwords or using saved login details.

Here are some common ways they try to hack accounts:

Phishing Attack - Spammers send fake emails and messages that look real. They pretend to be a trusted brand, social media platform, or even a company offering sponsorship deals. They attempt to make you click on a malicious link or share your login details.

Stolen Passwords - Many people use the same password for multiple accounts. If hackers steal a password from one website, they try it on other sites, too. If your password is leaked in a data breach, your social media could be at risk.

Poor Password - Hackers use special programs to try different password combinations until they get in. If your password is weak or too simple, it won’t take them long to crack it.

Malware - Malware is sneaky software that hackers use to steal information. You might get it by downloading a file, opening an email attachment, or visiting a harmful website. Some malware can track what you type, including your passwords.

Wi-Fi Attacks - Hackers can steal your login details while you browse. If you log into your social media on an open network, someone could take over your session without knowing your password.

If your Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter account has been hacked, how do you know?

Here are the signs:

1. If your password's been changed and you can't access your account, that's a clear red flag.
2. Unknown posts. You notice new posts on your account that you didn’t write or share.
3. Messages you didn’t send. You find chat messages that came from you, but you didn't type them.
4. Spam from your account. Your contacts tell you they've been receiving spam messages from your profile.
5. You get a notification saying your password was changed or someone logged into your account from an unknown device.

Here are some steps you can take on your own to fix the problem of a hacked account

Change Your Password First

Start by checking if you can still log into your account on other devices, like your laptop or another phone.

If you can, change your password immediately. If someone has already changed it, request a new password through your linked email address.

Remove all Active Sessions

If you think someone else is using your social media account, sign out of all active sessions immediately. Here’s how:

Facebook

1. Open Security and Login Settings.
2. Find Where You’re Logged In.
3. Click Log Out of All Sessions to remove access from all devices.

Instagram

1. Go to your profile and then tap the menu (☰) icon.
2. Open Settings > Security > Login Activity.
3. Find any suspicious sessions, tap the three-dot icon, and select Log Out.

YouTube (Google Account)

1. Open your Google Account’s Devices page.
2. Locate the device you want to remove.
3. Tap the three-dot icon and select Sign Out.

You can also sign out of all active sessions on Twitter and LinkedIn using similar steps. 

Contact Social Media Platform

Most social media platforms have a contact us page where you can reach out to them. When you contact, include details, like when your account was hacked and any suspicious activity you've noticed.

Notify Your Followers

If you can't access the hacked account but still have control over your other social media accounts, be sure to alert your followers there.

For example, if a Facebook account is hacked, use platforms like Instagram or Twitter, where you still have access, to reach out.

Check for Any Suspicious Activity

If you got access to your account look for posts or messages that you didn't write, any changes to your profile info, or follow requests from unfamiliar accounts.

If you spot anything unusual, report it to the platform and remove it immediately.

Delete Offensive Content

If the hacker posts anything harmful on your account, remove it instantly. This will not only protect your reputation but also show your followers that you're addressing the situation seriously.

Restore Lost Data

If a hacker has deleted any of your posts or data, you can restore it from a backup. Many social media platforms allow you to back up your information regularly.

If you don’t have a backup, reach out to the hack recovery company; they can help you.

Claim Forgot Your Password

Review your email for a password reset link, and you’ll quickly regain control of your account since the hijacker likely hasn’t changed your email or phone number.

Report The Account

If the above does not work, mark your account as compromised. All social media sites have their own way of handling this.

• Facebook: Visit Facebook’s page to report a compromised account. Then, use your phone number and email address to recover the account.
• Instagram: Go to this help page if you believe your account has been hacked.
• YouTube: Follow Google’s instructions to sign in and regain control of your YouTube account.
• LinkedIn: On the login page, click the "forgot password" option. Then, enter email address and phone number to reset your password, and don’t forget to report the compromise.
• Twitter: Complete this form to regain access to your Twitter account.

Get Professional Help

After following all these steps, if you still can’t recover your account, it’s time to seek professional help. A trusted company like TechForing can help you regain control of your account and secure it from future attacks.

Cybercriminals are always looking for ways to steal personal information. With a few simple steps, you can keep your accounts secure.

1. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Never use simple passwords like your name, birthday, or 123456. Create a strong one using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, never use the same passwords for different accounts. If they're hard to recall, consider using a password manager.

2. Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Even if another person knows your password, 2FA can stop them. When you enable it, logging in requires an extra step such as entering a code that is sent to your phone. This extra security makes it much harder to hack on social media​.

3. Check Your Account Activity

Every social media site permits you to see where and when your account logged in from. If you ever spot any unwanted logins, change your password immediately. Also, log out of unknown devices and turn on 2FA if you have not already done it.

4. Watch Out for Phishing Scams

Hackers usually send messages or emails in order to get your login credentials. Always check the sender before clicking on any link. If it seems fishy, go directly to the website instead of using the link.

5. Keep Your Apps and Devices Updated

Outdated software can harbor security vulnerabilities that hackers simply can't resist. Update your phone, computer, and social media apps regularly to protect yourself from the latest threats.

6. Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is not safe as hackers could intercept your data. If you have to use the wifi, access it through a VPN. It keeps your internet use private and protects sensitive information.

7. Remove Unnecessary Third-Party App Access

Many apps ask to connect to your social media, but some aren’t safe. Check which apps have access to all your social media accounts and remove any you don’t use. The fewer apps connected, the lower the risk of being hacked.

Most platforms, like social media and email, let you add an additional layer of security through two-factor authentication (2FA).

2FA makes it harder for hackers to break into your accounts. Even if somebody gets your password, they still need a second code- usually sent to your phone- to log in. Without the correct code, the system blocks access and alerts you.

Setting up 2-FA is simple; the steps vary depending on the platform. Here’s how you can enable it:

Facebook

1. Log in and open “Settings.”
2. Click “Security and Login” from the left-hand menu.
3. Find “Two-Factor Authentication” and click “Edit.”
4. Follow the instructions to turn on 2FA.

Twitter

1. Log in and click “More.”
2. Go to “Settings and privacy.”
3. Select “Security and account access” - “Security.”
4. Under “Two-Factor Authentication,” follow the setup steps.

Instagram

1. Open your profile and tap “Settings.”
2. Click “Privacy and Security.”
3. Under “Two-Factor Authentication,” click “Edit.”
4. Follow the prompts to enable 2FA.

Google

1. Click your profile picture and then move to “Manage Your Account.”
2. Select “Security” from the left menu.
3. Under “Signing in to Google,” click “2-Step Verification.”
4. Click “Get Started” and track the setup instructions.

If you can still access your email or social media accounts, change your passwords right now.

If you’ve used the same or similar passwords for other accounts, update those, too. Make sure each password is strong and unique. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts.

If you can’t log in, check your email and social media account recovery​ options. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter provide step-by-step guides to help you regain access.

For more help on recovering specific accounts, visit the TechForing Cybersecurity website.

Should I call the police if my social media account is hacked?

Generally, a police call is not helpful for a hacked social media account. It recommends going through the recovery process of the platform instead.

What should I do immediately after noticing my account is hacked?

First, change your password with a strong, unique one. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.

How do I recover my social media hacked account?

• Change Your Password and Enable Two-Factor Authentication
• Verify Account Activity and remove any unknown third-party app
• Contact the platform's support team for assistance

For custom guidance and support, visit TechForting, where our experts are ready to assist you.

Schedule a Meeting with TechForing