got hacked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got hacked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where a computer system or account has been compromised by unauthorized access. Example: "After realizing that my email account got hacked, I immediately changed my password and enabled two-factor authentication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Macron's emails got hacked.

The Washington Post

Feeling for everyone who got hacked".

Independent

I got hacked again, but that's because I didn't change my password (what a dum-dum).

The New Yorker

Either @JeremyClarkson got hacked or he retweets anything with his name in it without looking at it first.

Independent

"You got hacked," Don remembered telling Derek, once he reached him on the phone.

The Washington Post

In the last 12 months, companies as diverse as Symantec, the security juggernaut, and LinkedIn, the social network, got hacked.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

When they got hack, orders for twenty-five hundred waitingiting for them.

The New Yorker

They get hacked.

The New York Times

You will get hacked.

Harvard Business Review

Inevitably, hacking itself had to get hacked.

The New Yorker

It is absurdly easy to get hacked.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a security incident, use "got hacked" in contexts where the focus is on the event happening to a person or entity. For more formal writing, consider "was compromised" or "suffered a security breach".

Common error

Avoid using "got hacked" when you mean someone actively hacked something. "Got hacked" indicates the recipient of the action, not the actor. For instance, say "the website got hacked", not "the hacker got hacked the website".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got hacked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something was the recipient of a hacking action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common. It describes the state of being compromised by unauthorized access.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got hacked" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe that a person, system, or account has been compromised by unauthorized access. Ludwig AI validates this. While widely used, more formal alternatives like "was compromised" or "experienced a security breach" are preferable in professional or academic settings. Usage is very frequent in news and media, reflecting its role in reporting security incidents. When writing, ensure that "got hacked" is used in the passive voice and reserve it to indicate the recipient of the hacking, not the actor. The most authoritative sources using the phrase include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was compromised

Emphasizes the breach of security or integrity.

was breached

Focuses on the act of breaking through security measures.

suffered a security breach

Highlights the negative impact of the security incident.

experienced unauthorized access

Formally describes the illegitimate entry into a system.

had its security compromised

Similar to "was compromised" but with a slightly different grammatical structure.

fell victim to a cyberattack

Specifies the attack as a digital or online incident.

was subject to hacking

Emphasizes the action of hacking as the cause.

had its defenses penetrated

Focuses on overcoming security defenses.

was illegally accessed

Highlights the unlawful nature of the access.

its security was infiltrated

Emphasizes the stealthy nature of the unauthorized access.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "got hacked"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases such as "was compromised", "was breached", or "suffered a security breach".

Is it appropriate to use "got hacked" in professional writing?

While "got hacked" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate to use formal language in professional contexts. Alternatives include "experienced unauthorized access" or "had its security compromised".

What does it mean when someone says their account "got hacked"?

It means that someone gained unauthorized access to their account, typically to steal information, spread malware, or cause other harm. The account was compromised.

How can I prevent my account from "getting hacked"?

Use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible, and be cautious of phishing attempts. Make sure that your system "was protected" against intrusion.