How to Respond to a Cyber Attack: Immediate Steps You Must Take

Cyberattacks have become a common threat to both individuals and businesses. Whether it’s phishing, ransomware, or an account breach, knowing how to respond immediately can help minimise damage and protect your sensitive information. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the crucial steps to take when you suspect that your device or account has been hacked.

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

First and foremost, don’t panic. A clear and level-headed approach will help you take effective actions quickly. Begin by assessing the situation to determine the extent of the breach. Has your device been compromised? Is your email or social media account behaving strangely? Are there unauthorised transactions on your bank account?

Once you identify what’s potentially at risk, move on to the following steps.

2. Disconnect from the Internet (Isolate the Device)

If you suspect your device has been compromised, immediately disconnect it from the internet. This will stop any further unauthorised access or data transfer from happening.

Why is this important?

Hackers can exploit an active internet connection to:

• Steal more data
• Install malware or ransomware
• Use your device to infect other systems on the network

Unplug the Ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi to isolate the device and prevent the attack from spreading.

3. Change Your Passwords (But from a Safe Device)

If you believe your accounts have been compromised, it’s vital to change your passwords right away. However, do this from a different, secure device that you are confident is not compromised, like your smartphone or another computer.

Tips for Secure Passwords:

• Use complex, unique passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an added layer of security. This ensures that even if your password is compromised, attackers will still need an additional code to access your account.

4. Run a Full Security Scan

After isolating the device, run a comprehensive security scan using up-to-date antivirus software. Most antivirus programs can detect and remove malware, but it’s crucial that the software is fully updated to catch the latest threats.

Consider using:

• Antivirus software to check for viruses and malware.
• Anti-malware tools like Malwarebytes, which can detect more complex threats such as rootkits or spyware.

If your system detects any malicious software, follow the program’s instructions to quarantine or remove it.

5. Contact Your Service Provider

For account-related hacks—such as those affecting your bank, email, or social media accounts—reach out to the service provider immediately. They may be able to:

• Lock down your account to prevent further unauthorised access.
• Help you recover access to the account.
• Provide information on suspicious activity.
• Advise on any additional steps you should take to protect your account.

Most services, like email and banking platforms, have dedicated teams and processes to assist in case of a breach.

6. Report the Incident

For certain types of attacks—like identity theft or financial fraud—it’s important to report the cyberattack to the appropriate authorities. This not only helps you get legal protection but may also prevent future attacks on others.

If you experience a cyberattack, you can report it to various organisations depending on the severity and nature of the attack. Here are the main options:

1. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

• What it handles: The NCSC is the primary organisation for dealing with serious cyber incidents affecting businesses, especially those in critical infrastructure or large-scale attacks.
• How to report:
  • Website: NCSC Incident Reporting
  • You can submit a report directly via their online portal. They deal with issues like ransomware, DDoS attacks, and data breaches affecting larger organisations.
• Phishing and Suspicious Emails: Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

2. Action Fraud

• What it handles: Action Fraud is the UK’s national centre for fraud and cybercrime reporting. Businesses can report cyber incidents such as hacking, ransomware, and cyberfraud.
• How to report:
  • Website: Action Fraud for Businesses
  • Phone: 0300 123 2040 (available for businesses).
• Businesses can also track their reports and updates through their Business Reporting Portal.

3. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

• What it handles: If the cyberattack involves a personal data breach (such as customer or employee data), businesses have a legal obligation under GDPR to report it to the ICO within 72 hours.
• How to report:
  • Website: ICO Data Breach Reporting
  • Phone: 0303 123 1113 (for businesses).

4. Cybersecurity Incident Response Teams (CIRTs)

• If your business has a cybersecurity insurance provider, they may have their own incident response teams that can handle the situation and help recover data or minimise the damage. Contact them as part of your cyber incident response plan.

7. Monitor Your Accounts

After the initial response, it’s important to closely monitor your accounts—particularly financial and email accounts—for any suspicious activity. This includes:

• Checking for unfamiliar transactions on your bank accounts.
• Monitoring your email for any unauthorised password reset attempts or strange login alerts.
• Keeping an eye on social media profiles to ensure no unusual posts or messages are sent from your account.

8. Backup and Restore

If your device was infected with malware or ransomware, there’s a chance you may need to wipe the system to fully remove the threat. Before doing this, ensure you have a clean, recent backup of your important files. Ideally, backups should be stored on an external device or in a secure cloud service.

If the device is severely compromised:

• Restore the system to factory settings.
• Reinstall the operating system if needed.
• Restore your files from the clean backup.

9. Review Security Practices and Update Software

After dealing with the immediate threat, take the time to strengthen your overall cybersecurity practices to prevent future attacks. Some useful steps include:

• Update all your software: Ensure that your operating system, applications, and antivirus software are up to date to defend against known vulnerabilities.
• Secure your network: Make sure your Wi-Fi is password-protected with WPA3 encryption, the strongest available.
• Be aware of phishing attempts: Phishing attacks are a common way hackers gain access to sensitive information. Be cautious of emails or messages asking for personal details or containing suspicious links.

10. Consider Professional Help

If the attack is severe, or if you’re unsure of the full scope of the breach, it may be wise to seek professional cybersecurity help. A cybersecurity expert can:

• Perform a thorough audit of your device and network.
• Remove advanced threats like rootkits or undetected malware.
• Provide guidance on how to strengthen your defences moving forward.

For businesses, working with a cybersecurity firm or a managed security service provider (MSSP) can offer long-term protection.

In the unfortunate event of a cyberattack, knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can make all the difference. From isolating your device and changing passwords to reporting the attack and seeking professional help, each step is crucial to minimising the damage and safeguarding your information.

Cybersecurity is a continuous process. Stay informed, use strong security practices, and always be vigilant. Taking these immediate steps will not only help mitigate the impact of a cyberattack but also better prepare you to handle any future threats.