Your Twitter account has been hacked! Here's what to do about it

The first thing you need to do is try to log onto Twitter. If you can do that, change your password. This will stop the Twitter thief in his or her tracks, and regain you control of your account--if the thief hasn't already changed the password and locked you out.

If you can log onto Twitter in your browser, click the tool icon in the upper-right corner and select Settings. Click Password  on the left pane, then enter your old and new passwords. And please, make your new password is a strong password.

If you can change the password, you have my permission to sigh with relief. But your work isn't over. Keep reading.

If you can't log on or change your password, you're going to have to go through Twitter's customer service and submit a Support request. See the service's own My account has been hacked page for details.

Once you've changed the password--either on your own or with Twitter's help--send out a tweet apologizing to your followers. Explain to them that those tweets weren't yours.

Then delete all of the tweets you didn't send.

Next, block all third-party apps from accessing your account. Click Apps on the Settings page's left panel. Click Revoke access for every application. You can reactivate them later.

As added protection, setup Login verification:

1. Click Mobile on the left pane.
2. Click the add a phone link. Enter your cell number and click Activate phone. Follow the resulting directions (you'll be asked to text something).
3. Look at the phone options and uncheck any that may invade your privacy or become annoying (I unchecked everything).
4. Click Save changes.
5. Click Account on the left panel.
6. Scroll to the bottom and, in the Login verification section, select Send login verification requests to [your phone number]. Let them send you a test message and respond appropriately.

Now about those apps. Go back to the Apps section and click the Undo Revoke Access buttons for each app--or at least the ones you actually use.

Next, change your password for those apps--especially the ones on your tablet and phone. Unfortunately, thanks to login verification, this will be a bit more complicated than it used to be, and requires a PC handy:

1. On your PC, on Twitter's Settings page, return to the Password section and click the Generate button. A numeric code will appear on the screen.
2. On your mobile device, launch your Twitter app and tell it you need to change the password. But instead of entering the new (or old) password, enter the numeric code displayed on your PC.

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