I made a mistake a few days ago by downloading a cracked game and extracting its files onto my PC. I deleted the file shortly after, thinking it would be fine. However, I realized something was wrong the following day when I started sending scam links in direct messages on Discord and in every server I was part of. I managed to stop it just in time, but I've had some troubling notifications since then. A few days later, I got emails about my accounts in some games getting reset, and today my Reddit account was locked due to 'technical irregularities.' When I checked, I noticed last activity from locations in Russia, which is strange because I'm not from there. To be safe, I changed my password right away. What else should I do?
2 Answers
First, I’d recommend doing a complete Windows reinstallation using a USB drive to ensure you fully clean up any possible malware. After that, change all your passwords immediately. It's also super important to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your accounts for extra security.
Honestly, what you described might not even be considered hacking in the traditional sense. It sounds more like your passwords were exposed previously. However, if the software you downloaded had a keylogger, that could explain how they accessed your accounts.
True, but still, be cautious! Even if it wasn't a hack in a classic sense, better safe than sorry. Just keep monitoring your accounts.
Definitely consider using a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. It's a great way to enhance your security!