Move fast and save things: A quick guide to recovering a hacked account

This article outlines a time-sensitive, 15-minute recovery plan for individuals who suspect their online accounts have been compromised. The response strategy is divided into critical stages: immediate damage control, securing access by updating recovery settings and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and conducting a thorough security audit of recent activity and installed software. Speed is emphasized as the primary factor in interrupting an attacker's progress and preventing long-term access. Beyond immediate crisis management, the guide provides a comprehensive list of preventative measures to harden digital defenses. Key recommendations include the adoption of password managers, the use of hardware security keys or authenticator apps over SMS-based 2FA, and the transition toward passkeys. By maintaining rigorous security hygiene and keeping software updated, users can significantly raise the cost of an attack, making themselves less attractive targets for cybercriminals. Re