Ransomware

Common Signs Your Business Has Been Hacked (and What to Do Next)

Most business owners don’t realize they’ve been hacked right away. It’s rarely a dramatic “movie moment.” Instead, it ...

Holli Houseworth Langford

Jan 15, 2026

Ransomware Cyber Attack Prevention

virus detection

Most business owners don’t realize they’ve been hacked right away.
It’s rarely a dramatic “movie moment.” Instead, it shows up as little things that feel off—until they become big, expensive problems.

The good news?
If you know what to look for and what to do next, you can reduce damage, downtime, and stress.

This guide is written for non-IT people, so let’s keep it simple and practical.

1. Your Computers Are Suddenly Slow or Acting Strange

If multiple devices are lagging, freezing, or crashing for no clear reason, malware could be running in the background.

Watch for:

Programs opening or closing on their own
Fans running constantly
Long boot-up times across several computers

2. Employees Are Locked Out of Accounts

Unexpected password resets, account lockouts, or alerts saying someone tried to log in from another location are red flags.

This often means:

Credentials were stolen through phishing
A compromised password is being tested elsewhere

3. Emails Are Sending That No One Recognizes

If customers or vendors say they received strange emails from your team—or your sent folder shows messages no one remembers sending—that’s a serious warning sign.

This can lead to:

Invoice fraud
Wire transfer scams
Blacklisting of your email domain

4. Pop-Ups, Ransom Notes, or “Security Alerts” Appear

Unexpected pop-ups demanding payment, fake antivirus warnings, or files that suddenly won’t open may indicate ransomware or scareware.

Never click or pay immediately.
This is one of the moments where speed + calm matters most.

5. Files Are Missing, Encrypted, or Renamed

If shared folders look different, files have strange extensions, or data seems to disappear, that’s often a sign of a breach in progress—or one that already happened.

6. Your Bank or Vendors Flag Suspicious Activity

Sometimes the first alert comes from outside your business.

Examples:

A bank freezes a transfer
A vendor questions an invoice
A customer reports unusual billing

These are often connected to compromised email accounts.

7. Security Alerts You Don’t Understand (or Don’t See at All)

If you’re getting alerts but don’t know what they mean—or worse, you never get alerts—your systems may not be properly monitored.

No alerts doesn’t mean no problems.
It may mean no one is watching.

What to Do Immediately If You Suspect a Hack

Step 1: Stop the Spread

Disconnect affected computers from the internet
Do not power everything off unless advised
Ask employees to stop logging in until told otherwise

Step 2: Do NOT “Clean It Up” Yourself

This is where many businesses make things worse.

Avoid:

Deleting files
Running random cleanup tools
Paying ransom without expert guidance

You could destroy evidence or trigger further damage. Many insurance companies will not pay out if there is anything has been altered.

Step 3: Contact Your IT Partner Right Away

Time matters.
The sooner professionals investigate, the more they can contain, recover, and protect.

If you don’t have an IT provider, this is exactly the moment you need one.

Step 4: Secure Accounts

Once it’s safe to do so:

Reset passwords (especially email and admin accounts)
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Review recent logins and activity

Step 5: Assess Impact & Recover Safely

A proper response includes:

Identifying what was accessed
Restoring clean backups (if needed)
Strengthening defenses to prevent repeat attacks

Many attacks happen again within weeks if root issues aren’t fixed.

How to Reduce Your Risk Going Forward

You don’t need to be a tech expert to be protected—but you do need a plan.

The basics that make a huge difference:

Multi-factor authentication for email and remote access
Regular backups that are tested
Employee phishing awareness training
Ongoing monitoring (not just antivirus)

Most successful attacks exploit simple gaps, not advanced hacking.

Final Thought: Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, it probably is.

It’s always better to investigate early and find nothing
than to wait and discover a major breach later.

If you’re unsure whether your business is properly protected—or just want peace of mind—getting a professional review can make all the difference.