How can you pivot after a Social Media account hack?
A Social Media account hack can be a nightmare for any business or individual. It can damage your reputation, compromise your data, and disrupt your communication with your audience. But it doesn't have to be the end of the world. You can pivot after a Social Media account hack by following these steps.
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Jed MisaGlobal Director of Social @ PHD | Holistic Social Media | Content Strategist | Brand & Community Builder | Web3…
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Rajesh AzmeeraSAP BASIS/Cloud Technical Architect with AI/ML and RPA | Author | Blogger | Advisor
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Noah DodsonTransforming Ideas into Online Success | Marketer | West Shore Community College
The first thing you need to do after a Social Media account hack is to assess the damage. How did the hacker access your account? What did they post, delete, or change? How many followers did you lose or gain? How did your audience react? How did the platform respond? You need to gather as much information as possible to understand the scope and impact of the hack.
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Engaging your PR, Operations, Marketing, IT & Security along with your C-suite first. Ideally, you’ll have a crisis process established with a detailed RACI for each step of the process. Depending on the damage this could require other departments in the business but the main priorities tackled by this team should be on mitigating damage/risk to your people and your customers (and their data), communicating transparently and reassuringly through the entire process to all parties, securing systems and tightening up processes to reduce the surface area of future risk e.g. reduce the number of people with admin account access, and formalise access protocols if not in place already. Key thing, have a crisis plan in place before this happens.
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Phishing links, emails, and sites Phishing is a cyberattack in which the attacker tricks the victim into giving sensitive or critical information through fraudulent websites, forms, links or other means. It’s pretty easy for anyone to make a Facebook clone with React Native. Tools like Zphisher and PyPhisher make it even easier for an attacker by setting up a phishing page and creating links to it, too.
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First thing is not to get panicked. What has happened has happened it's now goin to change. We need to act smart and asses the damage. If it was on your brand page then we need infrom the audience about the incident. Then we can check the log history in the account to check what the hackers have done when they had access of the account. Once everything gets sorted out best practices are to change the password immediately and enable 2 factor authentication for our accounts in order to be safe for any future hacker's attempt.
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Involving PR, Operations, Marketing, IT, Security, and C-suite is essential. Establish a detailed crisis management process, considering other departments based on the severity of the situation. Focus on mitigating damage and risk to people, customers, and data. Prioritize transparent and reassuring communication. Secure systems and enhance processes to minimize future risks. Consider reducing admin account access and formalizing access protocols. A comprehensive crisis plan is crucial for preparedness.
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First off, don't panic. After a social media account hack, swift action is crucial: immediately regain control by changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication. Assess the extent of the breach, addressing compromised data or unauthorized posts. Transparently communicate with your audience, acknowledging the breach, and outlining steps taken for resolution. Enhance security protocols, collaborate with cybersecurity experts, and conduct a thorough review to strengthen defenses and prevent future incidents. Engage authentically with your audience, address concerns, and leverage insights to fortify brand credibility and resilience.
The next step is to secure your account and prevent further damage. You need to change your password, enable two-factor authentication, revoke any suspicious third-party apps, and contact the platform's support team. You may also need to report any fraudulent or abusive content, delete any unwanted posts, and restore any deleted or altered data. You need to make sure your account is safe and under your control.
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One way to secure your account is to make it a regular task as part of security protocols. Change your password at least twice a year and whenever an employee or team members has/have changed roles. Enable two-factor authentication and test it to ensure notifications are going to the appropriate staff. Limit the number of people who have access to the account and make sure everyone who does have access is aware of the contact information for the platform's support team.
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This is an important point! Immediately change your password and turn on two-factor authentication. I would then reach out to LinkedIn or the platform that your in to find out how they were able to hack your account. After your account is safe, I would advise you to create a post to let everyone know you were hacked. You don’t know what the hacker posted or what messages they sent. You don’t want the information they shared to affect you and your business. So put it out there that you were hacked and guide people on how they can keep their account safe too!
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Key things to do when your social media Account Hacked: 1. Immediately change your password to something strong and unique. Do not reuse passwords across other accounts. 2. Revoke access to any third-party apps that were connected to your account. These apps could have been used to gain unauthorized access. 3. Check for linked email accounts or phone numbers and remove any that are not yours. 4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
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It is so important to ensure that your company’s social media accounts have multi factor authentication! I also recommend limiting the number of employees who have access to each account. This is for security purposes and to easily transfer ownership with turnover.
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Change your password. Yes. But change it to something hard!!! Don’t just use the same password with a character or number added. Use a very long password with numbers, characters, letters, upper and lower case, and even spaces. For two factor authentication (2FA), use an app like Google Authenticator. Much more secure than an SMS 2FA.
The third step is to communicate with your audience and address the hack. You need to be honest, transparent, and apologetic. You need to explain what happened, how you fixed it, and what you learned from it. You need to reassure your audience that you value their trust and loyalty, and that you are taking steps to prevent future hacks. You need to answer any questions, address any concerns, and thank any supporters.
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Steps to take when your social media account is compromised: Update your password promptly to a strong, unique one. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. Revoke access from any third-party apps linked to your account to prevent unauthorized access. Review linked email accounts or phone numbers, removing any that aren't yours. Activate Two-Factor Authentication for added security.
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Communicate openly with your audience after the hack. Apologize sincerely, explain what happened, and detail the steps taken for recovery. Share lessons learned and reassure them of improved security measures. Express gratitude for their support and loyalty, addressing any concerns promptly. Transparent communication rebuilds trust and shows your commitment to their satisfaction and security.
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In my experience I have found that being completely transparent and honest is the best bet. If your social account's voice can handle a little humor, go for it! If not, it's best to be frank and tell your audiences what happened--and even better, offer something you learned along the way or tips on keeping their accounts secure.
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Embracing transparency with your audience is key to fostering trust and credibility. People often connect more deeply with those who openly share vulnerabilities and challenges, as opposed to those projecting only a facade of unblemished success. Therefore, maintaining transparency is not just a virtue but a strategic choice that resonates with individuals seeking genuine connections and relatable experiences.
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Once the security is restored, focus on rebuilding trust and engagement. Share captivating content, run exciting campaigns, and interact actively with your audience. Turn the negative incident into an opportunity to showcase resilience and a stronger online presence.
The fourth step is to review your Social Media strategy and identify any gaps or weaknesses. You need to evaluate your goals, metrics, content, channels, and tools. You need to see if you need to update, improve, or change anything to align with your current situation and audience. You need to learn from your mistakes and find opportunities to grow and innovate.
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Engage openly with your audience post-hack. Extend a sincere apology, clarify the incident, and outline recovery measures. Share insights gained, affirm enhanced security, and express gratitude for their unwavering support. Address concerns promptly, fostering trust through transparent communication that underscores your dedication to satisfaction and security.
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Reevaluate your social media strategy in light of the incident. Consider adjustments to content, audience engagement, and security protocols. A swift and strategic response is crucial in minimizing the impact of a security breach and maintaining trust with your audience.
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Wer auf eine einzige Plattform angewiesen ist, um mit der Community zu interagieren, ist sehr riskant aufgestellt. Ein breiteres Portfolio an Plattformen ermöglicht es dir, nicht nur bei einem Hack, sondern auch bei einem technischen Ausfall weiterhin kommunizieren zu können, und sogar schon während des Vorfalls die Community darüber in Kenntnis zu setzen.
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De cette situation doit naitre quelque chose de positif. Le temps consommé à la remise à plat de la situation permet de donner un nouveau cadre, une nouvelle image mais aussi de projeter dans l’après pour effacer le passé qui a fabriqué cette crise et le présent qui la traite. Pour se projeter dans l’après il faut materialiser un changement par le fond et la forme. Le fond en choisissant de nouveaux sujets de contenu : détourer les grands axes de communication passée pour elargir chacun à travers les notions d’actualité, de points de vue variés. La forme en ajoutant de nouveaux mode de communication ou de structuration du contenu : passer à la video ou au podcast, ajouter des modes de communication push (emailing, tag de votre audience).
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A social media hack can be devastating if you don’t have any other way of connecting with your audience. If you’re ONLY building your brand on social media, then you’re building your brand on borrowed land. Borrowed land over which you have no control, which is always going to leave you vulnerable. Once the dust has settled on a hack, it’s a great time to relook at your entire marketing ecosystem to ensure it’s future fit; ensuring that your website is working for you and that people have ample opportunities to join your inner circle via your email list. In the long run, this work will mean your efforts on social media are more effective and you’ll also be less vulnerable to service disruptions on third party platforms.
The fifth step is to rebuild your reputation and regain your audience's confidence. You need to be consistent, authentic, and engaging. You need to create and share valuable, relevant, and original content. You need to interact with your audience, listen to their feedback, and show appreciation. You need to demonstrate your expertise, credibility, and personality.
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If you cannot get your account back for any reason and the old account is still active, go to the old account from your new account and message your followers and let them know the situation, provide proof of some kind like a selfie with date and time, and ask them to block the old account and follow the new one. Time consuming but worth it to yourself and your community.
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Una respuesta proactiva es fundamental para prevenir futuros hackeos y asegurar una presencia en línea más segura. Recomiendo cambiar regularmente las contraseñas, implementar la autenticación de dos factores, revertir cambios no autorizados y estar atento a cualquier actividad inusual en su cuenta. Además, es crucial educar a su equipo sobre la seguridad cibernética y concienciarlos sobre los riesgos potenciales, así como informar a los servicios de soporte sobre cualquier incidente. Evita el uso de aplicaciones sospechosas y estate alerta frente a posibles intentos de phishing.
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To rebuild your reputation, prioritize authenticity and consistency. Create valuable, original content that resonates with your audience. Engage actively, listening to feedback and showing appreciation. Demonstrate expertise in your niche and infuse your brand with personality. Reaffirm credibility by delivering on promises and staying transparent. Adapt and improve continuously based on audience interactions and evolving trends. This approach fosters a stronger connection, rebuilding trust and credibility with your audience over time.
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Mihir Iyer
Learner | Creator | Mentor | Founder and CEO, Learners' Club | BSc. Blended (Chem) @ IDSS
Post-hack, it is important to rebuild your brand and personality regardless of the damage done during the hack. Here, authenticity is the key. Share some tidbits of your life during the hack and post-hack with your audience and engage with them to build an awareness of how to prevent such hacks.
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As it is, from bad experiences one acquires knowledge, learn from this failure and try to prevent it from happening again in the future. Your account recovery should be progressive, if you were hacked and your reputation was affected you should develop a strategic plan in which you can win back the trust of your followers always taking into account the security measures so that it does not happen again.
The sixth and final step is to prepare for the future and avoid another Social Media account hack. You need to educate yourself and your team on best practices, tips, and tools for Social Media security. You need to monitor your account regularly and report any suspicious activity. You need to backup your data and have a contingency plan in case of another hack. You need to be proactive, vigilant, and resilient.
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Conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions for your team. Equip them with the knowledge to identify phishing attempts, recognize potential security threats, and implement secure password practices. By instilling a culture of constant awareness and education, you fortify your team against emerging cyber risks. Encourage open communication about security concerns and ensure that everyone understands the critical role they play in safeguarding the integrity of your social media accounts. This proactive approach establishes a collective responsibility for security, reducing the likelihood of future vulnerabilities.
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Implement proactive measures to safeguard your social media accounts from future hacks. Stay informed about the latest security features and updates on the platforms you use. Regularly update passwords, conduct security audits, and educate your team or collaborators about best practices for maintaining a secure online presence.
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I have found it very useful to be proactive, educate myself and know the prevention methods so that I don't get scammed on social networks. You should not be accepting to enter links from strangers or open any kind of email from a sender that you do not know who he is, always be cautious, be smart but above all a little bit of malice to know that you must prevent disaster. Prevention will always be the best solution.
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If your social media account is hacked, take immediate action: change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and notify your followers about the situation. Review privacy settings and regularly update passwords to prevent future incidents. Stay vigilant for unusual activity and report any issues promptly to the platform.
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Como dito no primeiro passo, se você não tem planos de contingência para situações de emergência, ele é o momento de colocar isso em prática. Mapeie as principais situações emergenciais que podem acontecer e desenhe soluções para cada uma dessas possíveis situações. Isso trará segurança para sua equipe, seus seguidores e para a sua conta.
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