Why So Many People Are Getting Hacked Right Now (And How to Protect Yourself)

February 3, 2026

We've seen it tones of it in just the last few weeks. Different customers. Different emails. Same result: hacked computers, stolen passwords, and hackers controlling their machines remotely. Here's what's happening—and what you need to know to avoid becoming the next victim.

The Pattern We're Seeing

  • Sarah got an email that looked like it was from UPS. "Your package couldn't be delivered—click here to reschedule."
  • Tom got one that looked like his bank. "Unusual activity detected on your account. Verify your identity now."
  • Linda got one that appeared to be from Microsoft. "Your computer needs a critical security update. Download now."


They all clicked. Within minutes, their computers were infected. All three of these were fake emails designed to look real. And they worked.


How This Scam Actually Works

Here's the scary part: you don't have to enter your password or credit card. Just clicking the link is enough.


Step 1: You click the link

The link downloads a small file to your computer. It happens in the background—you might not even notice.


Step 2: The file installs malware

That file is malicious software (malware). It runs automatically and installs itself on your computer without asking permission.


Step 3: Hackers gain remote access

The malware gives hackers the ability to control your computer from anywhere in the world. They can:

  • See everything you type (including passwords)
  • Access your files and documents
  • Turn on your webcam and microphone
  • Install more malicious programs
  • Use your computer to attack others


Step 4: They steal your information

Hackers monitor your activity, looking for valuable information:

  • Bank login credentials
  • Credit card numbers
  • Tax documents
  • Business files
  • Email access (which they use to send more phishing emails to your contacts)


All of this happens quietly in the background while you use your computer normally.


Why These Scams Are So Effective

These aren't obvious spam emails from a Nigerian prince. Modern phishing emails are incredibly sophisticated:


They look completely real. Scammers copy the exact design, logos, and formatting of legitimate companies. The emails look identical to real ones you've received before.


They use real company names. The email appears to come from UPS, Amazon, your bank, Microsoft, or other companies you actually use.


They create urgency. "Act now!" "Urgent!" "Your account will be closed!" When you're panicked, you don't think clearly—and that's exactly what they want.


They know what you care about. Package deliveries, bank security, computer updates—these are things we all pay attention to.


The links look legitimate. When you hover over the link, it might show a URL that looks real at first glance. But look closer: amazon-delivery.com instead of amazon.com, or micros0ft.com (with a zero) instead of microsoft.com.


Real Examples We've Seen Recently

The Fake Package Delivery

"UPS attempted to deliver your package but no one was home. Click here to reschedule delivery and view your tracking information."


What made it convincing:

  • Perfect UPS logo and colors
  • Legitimate-looking tracking number
  • Link showed "ups-tracking.com" (real UPS is ups.com)
  • Customer was actually expecting a package


The Fake Bank Alert

"We detected suspicious activity on your Bank of America account. For your security, we've temporarily limited access. Click here to verify your identity and restore full account access."


What made it convincing:

  • Exact Bank of America branding
  • Professional language with no obvious errors
  • Created fear (account limited)
  • Customer actually has a Bank of America account


The Fake Microsoft Security Update

"Critical security vulnerability detected. Your Windows operating system requires an immediate security patch. Download update now to protect your computer."


What made it convincing:

  • Official Microsoft logo and blue color scheme
  • Technical language that sounds important
  • Fear of being vulnerable
  • Everyone uses Windows and expects updates


Warning Signs to Look For

Before you click any link in an email, check for these red flags:

1. You weren't expecting it. You didn't order a package. You didn't request a password reset. The timing is random.

2. It creates panic. "Immediate action required!" "Your account will be closed!" Real companies don't operate this way.

3. The sender's email address is slightly off. Click on the sender's name to see the full email address. Look carefully:

4. Generic greeting. "Dear Customer" instead of your actual name.

5. The link doesn't match. Hover your mouse over any link (don't click). Look at the bottom left of your screen where it shows the actual destination. If it doesn't exactly match the company's real website, don't click.

6. Unexpected attachments. Legitimate companies rarely send unsolicited attachments.

7. It sounds too good or too bad to be true. "You've won a prize!" or "Your account has been hacked!"


What to Do If You Think You Clicked a Bad Link

If you realize you clicked something suspicious, act fast. Time matters.


Immediately (Right Now):

1. Disconnect from the internet

  • Unplug your ethernet cable, or
  • Turn off your Wi-Fi (click the Wi-Fi icon in the corner and disconnect)

This stops the malware from communicating with the hackers.


2. Don't try to "fix it" yourself

Don't run antivirus scans. Don't try to find and delete suspicious programs. Sophisticated malware hides itself and fighting it alone often makes things worse.


3. Call us and bring it in

The sooner we see your computer, the better. The longer malware sits on your machine, the more damage it does.


Within the First Hour:

4. Change your passwords from a different device

Using your phone or a different computer, change passwords for:

  • Email accounts
  • Banking and credit cards
  • Any work systems you access
  • Social media accounts


Use strong, unique passwords for each account (this is where Bitwarden helps).


5. Check your bank accounts

Log into your banking and credit card accounts from a different device. Look for any unauthorized transactions. If you see anything suspicious, call your bank immediately.


6. Enable two-factor authentication

For critical accounts (email, banking), turn on two-factor authentication if you haven't already. This adds an extra layer of protection even if hackers have your password.


Within 24 Hours:

7. Notify your workplace

If you use your computer for work or access work systems, tell your IT department immediately. The malware may have accessed company information or systems.


8. Warn your contacts

Hackers often use infected computers to send phishing emails to everyone in your contact list. Let people know your email might be compromised so they don't click links from you.


9. Monitor your credit

Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports if you think sensitive information was accessed.


What We Do When You Bring It In

When customers bring us infected computers, here's our process:

  1. We isolate the machine. We don't connect it to our network or the internet until it's clean.
  2. We identify all malicious software. We use specialized tools to find every piece of malware, including hidden components that regular antivirus misses.
  3. We remove everything. Complete removal of all malicious software and any backdoors the hackers created.
  4. We check your router. Like Sarah's case from our earlier blog, sometimes hackers compromise your home network through your router. We make sure your router is secure and hasn't been modified.
  5. We verify it's clean. We run multiple scans to confirm everything is gone and your computer is safe to use.
  6. We help you secure your accounts. We'll guide you through changing passwords and enabling better security.
  7. We protect against future attacks. We install ad blockers, configure better security settings, and show you what to watch for.


How to Protect Yourself Going Forward

  • Never click links in unexpected emails. If you get an email about a package, bank alert, or security update—don't click the link. Instead, open your browser and go directly to the company's website by typing the address yourself.
  • Verify before you trust. If an email seems urgent, call the company using a phone number from their official website (not from the email). They can tell you if the email was real.
  • Use different passwords everywhere. If hackers get one password, they'll try it on every other account you have. Unique passwords limit the damage. Use a password manager like Bitwarden to keep track.
  • Keep your software updated. Install Windows updates when they appear. Update your browser regularly. These updates often fix security holes that hackers exploit.
  • Use an ad blocker. Browser extensions like uBlock Origin block many malicious ads and links before they can trick you.
  • Enable two-factor authentication. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your accounts even if they steal your password.
  • Trust your instincts. If something feels off about an email—even slightly—don't click. It takes two seconds to verify by going directly to the website yourself.


The Bottom Line

These email scams are getting more sophisticated every day. Even careful, tech-savvy people fall for them.

The good news? You can protect yourself by following one simple rule: When in doubt, don't click.


If you receive an email about a package, account alert, security update, or anything else that wants you to click—stop. Close the email. Go directly to the company's website yourself.


Those extra 30 seconds could save you weeks of headaches and thousands of dollars.


Already Been Hacked?

Don't wait. The longer infected malware stays on your computer, the more damage it causes. Bring it in today. We'll clean it up, secure your accounts, and make sure the hackers are locked out for good. We've handled dozens of these cases. We know what to look for and how to fix it. You're not the first person to click a bad link, and you won't be the last. But let's make sure the damage stops here.

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Important Service Update: We're Coming to You

December 1, 2025
We've made an exciting change to how we serve our customers at Top City Tech. We are moving away from walk-in or drop-offs at our shop. Instead, we're bringing our expertise directly to you. We are now picking up devices from you, working on them, and returning them to you! Why This Change Benefits You Your time is valuable. We realized that requiring you to pack up your computer, drive to our shop, wait for service, and make another trip to pick it up was costing you hours of productivity. By coming to you, we're eliminating that hassle entirely. Faster turnaround. Without the overhead of managing a retail storefront, we can focus entirely on solving your technical problems quickly and efficiently. Many issues can be resolved on-site during our first visit, getting you back to work the same day. More personalized service. Seeing your technology in its actual working environment helps us provide better solutions. We can address network issues, printer connectivity, and other problems that only show up in your specific setup. How Our New Process Works 1. We Pick Up . Schedule a convenient time, and we'll come to your location to collect your equipment. No packing, no driving, no waiting in line. 2. We Do the Work . Your device gets our full attention in our workshop. We'll keep you updated on progress and any findings along the way. 3. We Return Everything . Once the work is complete, we deliver your equipment back to you, set it up if needed, and make sure everything is working perfectly before we leave. The Bottom Line This transition allows us to provide you with white-glove service that respects your time and delivers better results. You stay productive while we handle the technical heavy lifting. Ready to schedule a pickup? Send us an email, call, or text to get this started. Note : We no longer offer electronics recycling services. For recycling, please contact Mobile Wave Repair or Shawnee County Hazardous Waste to check on availability and capacity.