Protect Yourself from Online Hacking: Tips and Advice
More than 22,500 people had their social media or email accounts hacked last year, new data shows.
Data from Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, reveals that in 2023, 22,530 individuals reported their online accounts being hacked, resulting in a collective loss of £1.3 million.
Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, emphasizes the importance of securing online accounts to mitigate the risk of fraud and cyberattacks. She advises individuals to use strong, unique passwords for their email and social media accounts and suggests implementing 2-step verification for added security.
Various methods of hacking were reported to Action Fraud, including:
- On-platform chain hacking: Fraudsters gain control of an account and impersonate the legitimate owner to deceive individuals into revealing authentication codes, often sent via text.
- Leaked passwords and phishing: Hackers exploit leaked information from data breaches, such as passwords, or obtain account details through phishing scams.
To avoid becoming a victim of online hacking, individuals are encouraged to:
- Use strong and unique passwords for email and social media accounts.
- Enable 2-Step Verification (2SV) for additional security.
If you’ve been a victim of fraud or cybercrime in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101.
Suspicious emails can be forwarded to SERS at report@phishing.gov.uk.
For more information on protecting yourself from fraud, visit stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk.
