One of the scariest parts of cybersecurity is not knowing if you’ve already been compromised. Hacks don’t always announce themselves with flashing lights or ransom notes. Sometimes the signs are subtle, and by the time you notice, the damage is done.
Common Warning Signs
Strange activity: Emails sent you didn’t write, posts on your social media you didn’t make.
Login alerts: Notifications of access from new locations or devices.
Locked out: Passwords suddenly don’t work, or recovery emails are redirected.
Financial red flags: Unknown charges, missing money, or account logins at odd hours.
Device behavior: Sluggish performance, pop-ups, or apps you didn’t install.
Friends notice first: Messages from “you” that you never sent.
Healthcare data breaches: Compromises in provincial health systems have exposed personal records.
Phishing: Still the #1 way Canadians get hacked — not high-tech, just trickery.
Underreporting: Many victims never report incidents due to embarrassment or confusion.
The Challenges
False alarms: Not every glitch is a hack — but ignoring signs is risky.
Delayed awareness: Hackers may lurk silently, collecting data before acting.
Complex recovery: Resetting, securing, and reclaiming accounts can be overwhelming.
Emotional toll: Fear and shame often prevent victims from seeking help.
The Opportunities
Early detection tools: Alerts from email providers, antivirus software, and credit monitoring services.
Community education: Teaching people what red flags look like, in plain language.
Normalize reporting: Reduce stigma so victims can share and prevent further harm.
Proactive habits: Strong passwords, backups, and 2FA reduce damage if hacks occur.
The Bigger Picture
Being hacked isn’t always about individual mistakes — it’s about living in a digital world where threats exist. The real measure isn’t whether you can avoid every attack, but whether you can recognize, respond, and recover quickly.
The Question
If recognizing hacks early is half the battle, how do we equip Canadians with the confidence to say, “Something’s wrong here” — and know exactly what to do next?
How to Know If You've Been Hacked
The Anxiety of the Unknown
One of the scariest parts of cybersecurity is not knowing if you’ve already been compromised. Hacks don’t always announce themselves with flashing lights or ransom notes. Sometimes the signs are subtle, and by the time you notice, the damage is done.
Common Warning Signs
Canadian Context
The Challenges
The Opportunities
The Bigger Picture
Being hacked isn’t always about individual mistakes — it’s about living in a digital world where threats exist. The real measure isn’t whether you can avoid every attack, but whether you can recognize, respond, and recover quickly.
The Question
If recognizing hacks early is half the battle, how do we equip Canadians with the confidence to say, “Something’s wrong here” — and know exactly what to do next?