#974 – Can’t I Just Delete My Hacked Account?

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#974 - Can't I Just Delete My Hacked Account?
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Getting rid of that hacked account

It's a classic chicken-and-egg connundrum. Your account has been hacked, so you want to delete it. But in order to delete it you need to regain access to it, at which point there's no reason to delete it any more.

The problem? Most people want to delete the account specifically because they've lost access and can't get back in.

Sadly, that's just not going to happen.

Can't I Just Delete My Hacked Account? explains why.

Also this week

  • Do you trust your operating system?
  • YubiKeys are cool.
  • Public Key Cyrptography is magical.
  • Why Javascript is needed.

As always, links below.

TEH Podcast

The new app from Meta (aka Facebook and Instagram) called Threads got our attention, as well as text-based social media apps in general. Who'll win? Do we care? Why?

All that and more in this week's TEH 198: Threads launch. How they all integrate. Who is going to win?

Take care,

Leo

Featured Article

Can

Can't I Just Delete My Hacked Account?
Chicken, meet egg.

Deleting an account you don't have access to is kind of the same as deleting an account you don't own.
Read: Can't I Just Delete My Hacked Account?

Also This Week on Ask Leo!

Privacy Begins with the Operating System
The amount of trust you place in an operating system is substantial.

Privacy Begins with the Operating System
Privacy is a complex and far-reaching topic. One of the most basic and often overlooked players is the operating system on your device.
Read: Privacy Begins with the Operating System

-

How Does a Hardware Security Key Like YubiKey Work?
More cryptographic magic.

How Does a Hardware Security Key Like YubiKey Work?
Hardware security keys like YubiKey provide an extra-secure level of two-factor authentication.
Read: How Does a Hardware Security Key Like YubiKey Work?

-

What Is Public Key Cryptography?
Just the backbone of securing the internet, that's all.

What Is Public Key Cryptography?
Public key encryption is the workhorse of security online. I'll review just what it is and how it's used at a high level.
Read: What Is Public Key Cryptography?

-

What Is JavaScript and Why Do I Need It?
Mostly because you want the website you're visiting to work as intended.

What Is JavaScript and Why Do I Need It?
JavaScript is a programming language that operates important features on many websites.
Read: What Is JavaScript and Why Do I Need It?

Ask Leo! on YouTube

Subscribe to Ask Leo! on YouTube to get the latest on YouTube.com. Your subscription (and "Likes") help others find Ask Leo!, and the answers they're looking for.

What Is JavaScript and Why Do I Need It?

JavaScript is a programming language that operates important features on many websites.
Watch: What Is JavaScript and Why Do I Need It?

-

How Does a Hardware Security Key Like YubiKey Work?

Hardware security keys like YubiKey provide an extra-secure level of two-factor authentication.
Watch: How Does a Hardware Security Key Like YubiKey Work?

-

Can't I Just Delete My Hacked Account?

Deleting an account you don't have access to is kind of the same as deleting an account you don't own.
Watch: Can't I Just Delete My Hacked Account?

-

Privacy Begins with the Operating System

Privacy is a complex and far reaching topic. One of the most basic and often overlooked players: the operating system on your device.
Watch: Privacy Begins with the Operating System

Saved! Backing Up with Macrium Reflect 8 - Online Course

Saved! Backing Up with Macrium Reflect - The Online Course

Safety and security, all in a backup program? It's all about the peace of mind you get when you've got things backing up properly.

Over 40 easy-to-consume videos walking you through setting up, backing up, scheduling, restoring and more.

More details in the Ask Leo! store: Saved! Backing Up with Macrium Reflect 8 - Online Course


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Posted: July 18, 2023 in: 2023
Shortlink: https://newsletter.askleo.com/8977
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I'm Leo Notenboom and I've been playing with computers since I took a required programming class in 1976. I spent over 18 years as a software engineer at Microsoft, and after "retiring" in 2001 I started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place to help you find answers and become more confident using this amazing technology at our fingertips. More about Leo.