[Fix] How To Know if Your X (Twitter) is Hacked 2024

Having your Twitter (X) account hacked is one of the most discomforting experiences you can have especially for your online repute.

You may be noticing suspicious activity on your Twitter account; maybe it’s tweeting stuff you have no idea about or it is auto-following or unfollowing other accounts.

That and many other actions are signs that your Twitter account is probably hacked or has been compromised.

In this article, am going to share with you how to know if your Twitter account is hacked, how to fix it and how to implement the best security features for your Twitter account.

Tip: First, you need to know that Twitter, like other social media platforms, is liable to data leaks and hacks. The best way to prevent your account from being hacked is to have the best security measures put into effect.

To Read: How To Know If My WhatsApp Is Hacked & How To Fix It

How Most Twitter Accounts Get Hacked

Twitter hacked

There are several ways and tricks attackers use to compromise Twitter accounts. Here I share only the few and most common.

But first, note that most hacks come from within; you may have shared your Twitter account password with your family member, workmate or friend.

Or you may have left your work computer browser logged in to your Twitter account and someone got access to it.

So, the first thing is to assess your security right from within.

Once you have that figured out and secured, then let’s get to other tricks attackers could use to compromise your Twitter account.

1. Not having an up-to-date computer antivirus:

Having your computer infected with viruses and malware could make your Twitter login credentials vulnerable to phishing by computer viruses handing out your credentials to malicious websites.

Make sure your computer has an up-to-date antivirus.

2. Poor passwording culture (weak passwords and password re-use):

Besides your password being weak; for example, your birthday, first name or place of residence, you may be re-using it on several other platforms like emails and computer logins, etc.

This is very insecure because if hackers manage to hack one of the systems, they’ll use the same password to launch attacks on your other platforms.

And this makes weak passwords and password reuse VERY dangerous.

3. Use of 3rd Party Insecure Apps:

I’m pretty sure you’ve come across platforms that asked you to log in using your social accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Gmail).

But other unpopular and insecure platforms may ask you to do the same.

Most of these 3rd party apps don’t implement the best security practices for the data they collect, making them susceptible to data breaches and theft.

That data can be used to launch attacks on other platforms like your email.

So, be cautious of the 3rd apps you allow access to your Twitter account.

How to Know if Your Twitter Account is Hacked

Hacking Twitter account

Here are the most common signs that your Twitter account is compromised or hacked:

  1. Your friends or other Twitter users start complaining of spammy texts, sometimes with links, that come from you into their inbox.

  2. Suspicious change in following numbers; this could be either an overwhelming increase in your followers or unfollowing.

  3. Having 3rd party apps accessing your Twitter credentials without your knowledge.

  4. Change in your account credentials; yes, you may be surprised to find that your Twitter account email changed and the one available you have no idea about.

  5. Direct messages promising incredible opportunities; these are spammy messages that may be sent to your inbox promising heaven on earth.

    Please do NOT click on any of those link texts as they could phish your credentials too.

  6. Receiving a notification from Twitter about your account security or being compromised.

  7. Noticing that your account password is no longer working and you’re required to reset it.

  8. Noticing unexpected tweets by your account without your consent.

  9. Receiving account information change notice from Twitter and yet you didn’t change a thing.

To Read: Telegram Hacked? Here is how to know and how to get it back

How to Find out Who Hacked your Twitter Account

Twitter app

This is one of the most tricky things to do or even achieve.

However, I’m pretty sure Twitter could provide you with account logs if contacted.

Also, there are 3rd party apps like Spyzie that can help with providing app usage and access logs, location and address of the person accessing your account.

However, this whole process is tedious and I can’t guarantee the accuracy of the information you’ll get from any of the platforms. Best thing to do is to fix your hacked account.

To Read: How To Know if Your Facebook is Hacked and How To Fix it

How to Fix Hacked Twitter Account

Twitter message

In this section, I’ll share with you what you can do if your Twitter account is hacked.

  1. Update/change your Twitter account password. Use a password with 7 characters or longer and mix in special characters.

  2. Revert all access to 3rd party apps within your account. Yes, these could be the ones granting access to the mysterious attacker.

  3. Scan your computer for viruses and malware with up-to-date antivirus software.

  4. Do not click or follow any of the suspicious links within tweets or in your inbox as those could be phishing your credentials.

  5. Delete any spammy content (texts and links) on your timeline or inbox.

  6. Activate the Twitter login verification on account accessibility and location.

  7. Contact Twitter support with the hacked account option here.

    Be sure to use the email address associated with the hacked account.

To Read: How To Know if My Instagram is Hacked and How To Fix it

How to Keep Your Twitter Account Secure

Computer security

Twitter recommends the steps below to keep your account secure:

  • Use a strong password that you don’t reuse on other websites to avoid any hacking vulnerability.

    Additionally, regularly change your passwords to keep them secure.

  • Use two-factor authentication for an additional layer of protection.

  • Require email and phone number to request a reset password link or code.

  • Be cautious of suspicious links and always make sure you’re on twitter.com before you enter your login information.

  • Never give your username and password out to third parties, especially those promising to get you followers, make you money, or verify you.

  • Make sure your computer software, including your browser, is up-to-date with the most recent upgrades and anti-virus software.

FAQ

Why is two-factor authentication important for Twitter security?

Two-factor authentication/verification adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, making it more challenging for unauthorized users to access your account even if they have your password.

Can I track the activities on my Twitter account?

Yes, you can regularly monitor your account activity in your account settings.

Keep an eye on login history, connected apps, and any unusual activities.

Are there specific signs of phishing attempts I should be aware of?

Yes, be cautious of messages urging urgent action, asking for personal information, or containing suspicious links, these are all signs of phishing scams.

Legitimate communication from Twitter typically does not request sensitive information through direct messages.

How long does it take for Twitter to respond to a hacked account?

The time it takes to address individual cases may depend on the severity of the issue, the information provided, and the overall workload of the support team at the time.

In some cases, users receive prompt assistance, while in others, it may take a bit longer.

Try to follow Twitter’s official reporting process, provide accurate information, and be patient as the support team works to resolve the issue.

Can you tell if someone looks at your Twitter account?

No, Twitter doesn’t provide a built-in feature for users to see who has viewed their profile or tweets.

You can only see the number of users who have viewed your profile or tweets.

Why do I get random followers on Twitter?

Random followers on Twitter can be a result of:
-automated following
-keyword searches
-follow-for-follow tactics
-promotional activities
-Twitter recommendations
-shared followers, and
-bots or spam accounts.

To maintain a genuine audience, you can use your Twitter privacy settings, be selective with follows, and engage in niche-related conversations.

To Read: 100 Computer Facts I Learned Online

In closing

Having your Twitter account hacked, or NOT having access to your account can be alarming.

So be cautious of who and where you share your account credentials and which devices you use to log into your Twitter account.

Those seem to be insignificant but they could lead to leaking your Twitter account login password, and thereafter your personal email, and the list goes on…

In case you’re unable to find a possible measure to fix your hacked account, contact Twitter support directly, their security experts may be able to help.

Additionally, if you happen to discover any other effective means to recover a hacked account, be sure to share it with us in the comment box below.

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Grace
Grace
Grace is an Editor at GoTechUG and she has written many articles about website design and social media. She has experience in IT and loves to tinker with anything to do with computers. In her spare time, she loves music, movies, reading books, and learning Spanish.

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