The Tool Desk
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If you suspect someone accessed your cloud storage or file-sharing account, use the provider’s official recovery process, secure the email or identity account that controls sign-in, and revoke unauthorized access. Then review file and sharing activity, preserve evidence, restore what you can, and alert anyone who may be affected. Recovery steps and available controls differ by provider.
First: contain access
- Go to the provider directly. Open its official website or app yourself; do not follow account-recovery links in unsolicited messages. If you are locked out, use the provider’s own recovery flow and contact support through its official channel. Each service has a different process. Dropbox’s hacked-account guidance and the UK National Cyber Security Centre’s account recovery guidance are examples, not substitutes for your provider’s instructions.
- Secure the email and identity account used to sign in or reset the password. Change its password if needed, and check recovery addresses and phone numbers, forwarding rules, filters, and recent security changes. An attacker who can intercept password-reset messages may regain access after you recover the storage account.
- Change the compromised password and any reused password. Set a unique password for each account. After regaining control, use the provider’s controls to sign out other devices or revoke active sessions; changing a password alone may not end every session. Add two-step verification or other available MFA, and confirm that the registered methods and recovery options belong to you. The NCSC says to “immediately change the password for the hacked account” in its hacked-account guidance.
- If this is a work or school account, alert IT or security now. Do not try administrator-only controls yourself. An authorized administrator can decide whether to suspend or contain the account, revoke sessions and app tokens, review MFA and recovery settings, and reset credentials. Google documents that suspending a Workspace user resets sign-in cookies and OAuth tokens; Microsoft documents revoking active sessions and reviewing user-consented applications. Which controls are available depends on the service, permissions, and configuration.
- Do not erase potential evidence. For an organizational incident, consult the security responder before wiping devices or deleting suspicious files. Records may be volatile or retained only briefly; CISA’s incident response guidance recommends preserving evidence that could be lost.
Investigate files, links, and account activity
For an individual account
- Look for unfamiliar files, unexpected edits, deletions, and earlier versions. Review sharing pages, link settings, recipients, connected apps, and grants. Remove access that you can identify as unauthorized.
- Check profile, recovery, and security settings for changes. Dropbox directs users to file version history and the Sharing page in its account-compromise instructions; its support page also advises contacting support if the account still appears compromised.
- Consider secondary misuse: suspicious messages or links sent from your account, exposed shared folders, unfamiliar collaborators, or unusual purchases and financial activity associated with other compromised accounts. Warn contacts if they may receive malicious messages.
For an organizational account
- Ask an administrator to review available sign-in, administrative, OAuth, and file-sharing events, and retain relevant exports or case details. Google’s Drive log events documentation describes records that can help identify actions and externally shared files.
- Do not treat audit logs as a complete record. Google states that not all Drive activity is logged, and event availability depends on the Workspace edition and event. Coverage and retention vary across services and plans; a missing log entry does not prove that a file was not accessed.
- Escalate possible sensitive-data exposure through the organization’s incident process. Administrators should coordinate with the provider when needed and preserve relevant records under organizational policy.
Preserve evidence and create a timeline
Record the discovery time, affected account, unusual sign-ins, file names or identifiers, relevant versions, sharing recipients, changed settings, containment steps, and provider support case number. Save relevant audit records or exports when available, noting where they came from and when they were collected. Follow your organization’s evidence-handling and retention policy if one applies.
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Restore files and notify people
Recover carefully
Use the provider’s supported restore or version-history features for missing or altered files, and check whether a separate backup is available. Before restoring, review the file and its sharing settings so you do not bring back malicious content or unauthorized access. Dropbox notes that file-recovery options vary by plan in its version-history guidance.
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Warn affected people and escalate exposure
Tell coworkers, collaborators, or contacts if they may receive harmful links or messages from the account. In an organization, involve the incident lead and the appropriate legal, privacy, insurer, or communications contacts if sensitive information may have been exposed. Reporting duties and deadlines depend on jurisdiction and incident facts; there is no single rule established for every incident.
#1 Best Overall
Yubico - Security Key C NFC - Basic Compatibility - Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) Security Key and passkey, Connect via USB-C or NFC, FIDO Certified
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Personal account or organization: who should do what?
| Response area | Personal account | Organizational account |
|---|---|---|
| Who acts | The account owner uses the provider’s recovery and support flow. | An authorized administrator works with IT/security and the incident lead. |
| Containment controls | Recover access, change passwords, sign out devices or sessions, and review app access where the provider permits. | Depending on service and permissions, suspend or contain the identity, revoke sessions or tokens, inspect MFA methods, and reset credentials. |
| Investigation scope | Review activity, files, versions, sharing, settings, and connected apps in the account interface. | Review available tenant sign-in, administrative, app, and file-sharing records; logs may be incomplete or edition-dependent. |
| Escalation | Use the provider’s official support channel if recovery fails or compromise continues. | Follow the incident plan, preserve records, coordinate with the provider, and involve relevant internal specialists if exposure is possible. |
After containment: close the paths back in
- Recheck sharing links, recipients, connected apps, grants, recovery methods, and MFA registrations.
- Update devices and review backups before restoring needed files. Monitor the account for renewed suspicious activity.
- For organizations, continue under the documented incident-response plan and provider escalation route.
- Once the incident is controlled, consider stronger MFA such as a FIDO2 security key if your service supports it. The NCSC recommends security keys over verification codes in its Google Workspace administrator security guidance; a key is a preventive measure, not a way to remediate an active compromise.
This is general incident guidance, not a replacement for provider instructions, an organization’s response plan, or jurisdiction-specific legal advice.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 4
Best Value
Yubico - YubiKey 5C - Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) Security Key and passkey, Connect via USB, FIDO Certified - Protect Your Online Accounts (5C)
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 is a versatile physical passkey that protects your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 via USB and tap it to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Rank #4
Yubico - Security Key NFC - Basic Compatibility - Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Key, Connect via USB-A or NFC, FIDO Certified
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Rank #3
Yubico - YubiKey 5 NFC - Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) Security Key and passkey, Connect via USB-A or NFC, FIDO Certified - Protect Your Online Accounts
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Rank #2
Yubico - YubiKey 5C NFC - Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) Security Key and passkey, Connect via USB-C or NFC, FIDO Certified - Protect Your Online Accounts
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
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