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How Can You Tell if You’ve Been Hacked?

How Can You Tell if You've Been Hacked

As cyberattacks become more frequent and complex, it is essential to be able to detect if your business has been hacked.  

American Technology Services provides comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, including intrusion detection, continuous security monitoring (CSM), and incident response (IR), to businesses, associations, and organizations. In this blog post, we will go over how to tell if you have been hacked and the steps you should take if you suspect a breach.

Common signs that you have been hacked 

One of the most common signs that a professional organization has been hacked is unusual activity on the network or systems. This can include an increase in network traffic, unusual login attempts, or the presence of unauthorized software or files. Other signs of a hack include strange messages or pop-ups, changes to system settings or files, and the inability to access specific files or systems. 

Another sign of a hack is the presence of malware on your systems. Malware is malicious software that can be used to steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, or gain unauthorized access to your network or systems. Common types of malware include viruses, Trojans, and ransomware. 

It is also important to be aware of phishing scams, a common way for hackers to access your systems and data. Phishing scams typically involve an email or message that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a government agency, and requests sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information. 

What to do if you have been hacked 

If you suspect your business has been hacked, taking immediate action to minimize the potential damage is essential. This includes disconnecting any affected systems from the network, running a full scan with updated antivirus software, and contacting a cybersecurity professional for incident response and cleanup assistance. 

Another key step is changing your login credentials and monitoring your systems, networks, and data for any unusual activity. It is also a good practice to have an incident response plan in place, which should include the roles and responsibilities of different team members and the procedures for containing and mitigating the attack and communicating with stakeholders. 

Cyberattacks are a growing threat to businesses of all sizes, and it is essential to be able to detect if your company has been hacked. At American Technology Services, we understand the importance of cybersecurity and can provide our clients with the best-in-class security solution to detect and respond to a cyber-attack.  

By being aware of the signs of a hack, such as unusual activity on your network or systems, the presence of malware or phishing scams, and taking immediate action to minimize the potential damage, you can protect your business from the negative impact of a data breach.