hacked account

An over-the-shoulder close up view of a Corgi sitting in front of a Windows computer screen. The screen is full of authentication requests including a password field across the top, with a "click all images containing a bicycle" CAPTCHA, as well as entry fields for "Your mother's maiden name:", "Your first pet:", "Your favorite teachers", Also included is an image of 4 spotlights above a stage pointed at the camera with the question "How many lights do you see", with an entry field "There are ___ lights!" Also included is a field to "Enter code displayed on your authenticator:", as well as a field to "Enter code sent to your email:" and a field to "Enter code sent to your phone:". The Corgi's fur is standing on-end as if surprised and overwhelmed by the number of entries displayed.

Why Do They Make It So Hard to Recover Accounts?

There’s a good reason why getting back into a locked account can feel impossible. I’ll discuss why account recovery has to be difficult, what you can do to make it easier on yourself, and how to avoid losing an account for good.

A windows PC on a desk displaying "Data Breach! Password hash exposed: 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99" - there is a Corgi sleeping peacefully in a basket on the floor nearby.

How Do Websites Keep Passwords Secure?

I’ll give you a high-level overview of how websites know you typed the right password without actually storing it. The trick is something called hashing, and once you understand it, you’ll know what to look for the next time a data breach hits the news.

A Corgi in a home office looking concerned at his Windows PC which is displaying a message "Data Breach! Change your password now!"

I’m Told to Change My Password. Why?

If you get a warning that your password has leaked, don’t panic, but don’t ignore it, either. I’ll talk about the difference between a real password breach and a scam, why passwords are risky once exposed “in the wild”, and the habit that keeps you safe no matter what.

A frustrated looking Corgi looking at a failed Facebook login.

Facebook Hacked? What You Need to Do NOW!

Facebook account hacks happen. Here’s how to recover access, lock down your password and recovery info, warn your friends, and protect yourself from it happening again.

A Corgi in a home office with his head in paws in front of a computer screen that says "Login Failed"

A One-Step Way to Lose Your Account Forever

Most people who lose an account never get it back, and it’s usually their own fault. I’ll discuss why alternate email addresses and phone numbers are the key to account recovery, and the habit most people forget that locks them out for good.

A Corgi at home looking at their computer screen which says, in large letters, "Email Hacked!".

My Email Is Hacked. How Do I Fix It?

Getting locked out of your own email is scary, and the fallout can spread to your bank, social media, and contacts. I’ll walk you through the steps to take right now: recovering your account, locking it down, and protecting everything connected to it.

A computer keeps running securely while the user sleeps.

Can My Computer or Signed-In Account Be Hacked from the Internet?

Worried that staying signed in leaves you open to hackers? I’ll explain why your router, firewall, and smart habits protect you, what the real risks to your accounts are, and the simple steps you can take to stay safe online.

A split-screen image showing two paths: on the left, a person following Google's official recovery steps (well-lit, organized process with checkpoints for recovery information); on the right, the same person handing money to various masked figures who are disappearing with the cash. Above both scenes is a Gmail lock icon.

Avoiding Scams: Why Hackers Can’t Recover Your Gmail for You

You’ll often find testimonials and offers of amazing account recovery success. It’s a trap.

Facebook sign in complaining of an incorrect password.

How Do I Recover My Hacked Facebook Account?

Unfortunately, Facebook account hacks are common. I’ll look at the process Facebook uses to recover a hacked Facebook account.

A dimly lit room with an open laptop casting a soft glow on a table. The screen displays an email interface with an unread message icon, subtly hinting at communication from beyond. Around the laptop, personal items like a framed photo of a smiling group of friends, a wilted flower, and a candle casting long shadows, create a poignant atmosphere of loss and the unsettling feeling of receiving a message from someone who has passed away. The overall mood is one of contemplation and sorrow.

Why Am I Getting Email from a Dead Person?

It’s hard enough to experience the loss of a friend or a loved one. To get email from them thereafter can be very disturbing.

Lost Gmail Account Recovery With No Phone or Alternate Email

The Google Account Recovery process may be able to help you get your account back. Maybe.

Why Your “Unimportant” Accounts Matter

Regardless of your initial thoughts, every account is important, and we are all targets.

Who’s Trying to Change My Password?

If your account has not actually been hacked, there’s little anyone can do to find out who’s trying to log in as you. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself from would-be hackers and phishing scams.

Do I Need to Worry About the Latest Security Breach?

That’s a composite of several questions that I’ve received relating to a recent theft of something like two million user accounts and passwords. I’ll address this specific incident, but I also want to discuss some things to consider with any large scale account theft.