Victim of hacking? Protect your rights

Hacking is one of the most serious threats to our digital security today. When you fall victim to a hacking attack, the consequences can be severe: loss of sensitive data, financial loss, reputational damage or even personal threats. It is essential to respond quickly and effectively. Our lawyers will guide you legally from the first step, ensuring that your rights are maximized and perpetrators are held accountable.

What is hacking and what does it mean for you as a victim?

Hacking means that someone gains access to your systems, accounts or data without your permission. This can include intrusion into your email account, your corporate network, cloud storage, social media or personal files. Hacking can be aimed at obtaining confidential information, financial gain, or inflicting reputational damage. It may also be aimed at holding your data hostage (ransomware) or disabling systems (sabotage).

Belgian law recognizes victims of hacking as victims of a criminal offense, with specific rights and opportunities to take both criminal and civil action against the perpetrator(s).

The possible consequences of hacking

The impact of hacking is often greater than it first appears. Possible consequences include:

• Financial losses: for example, through unlawful banking transactions (phising), extortion after data breaches or the cost of repair work on systems.
• Loss of confidential data: personal data, medical records, intellectual property or commercial business data can be stolen or misused.
• Reputational damage: leaked customer data or data breach scandals can cause companies serious reputational damage.
• Psychological damage: many victims experience stress, anxiety and a fundamental loss of confidence in digital security.

What can you do immediately as a victim of hacking?

When you have been hacked, speed is of the essence. The first few hours after an attack often determine legal options and the chance to limit damage.

• Secure your systems: Immediately change all passwords, especially of e-mail, banking applications and social media. Use two-step verification whenever possible.
• Keep evidence: Write down anything that might be relevant: suspicious activity, error messages, server logs, emails, screenshots. This evidence is crucial in legal proceedings.
• Notify third parties: If customer data is leaked, you may be required to report it to the Data Protection Authority (DPA) according to the GDPR.
• File complaint: Report the incident to the police. If necessary, you may also CERT.be Provide technical follow-up support.
• Contact an attorney specializing in cybercrime: Legal advice from the beginning increases your chances of successful compensation and a strong case.

Your legal rights as a victim

As a victim of hacking, you have several legal options:

• Criminal complaint: You can file a complaint with the police (who will forward it to the prosecutor's office for further investigation). You can also file a complaint with civil action before an investigating judge, which gives you a greater say in the investigation.
• Claim for damages: You can recover your full damages from the perpetrator(s), including material costs, moral damages and reputational damage.
• Access to file: Through the civil party statute, you can access the criminal record and request additional investigative actions if necessary.

Our specialized lawyers will guide you through every step of this process, from the drafting of the complaint to the final proceedings for compensation.

How we can help you

Our approach specifically targets victims of cybercrime. Our offerings include:

• Analysis of the incident: Together, we consider the nature of the attack, the extent of the damage and the best strategy to safeguard your rights.
• Drafting and filing criminal complaints: We provide a clear legal wording of your complaint so that the police, prosecutor's office or investigating judge can act in a targeted manner.
• Follow-up of criminal investigation: We actively monitor the course of the judicial investigation and intervene where necessary to defend your interests.
• Claim for damages: Both for financial damages, costs of recovery and lost income, and for reputational and moral damages.
• Preventive advice: We also advise you on how to better protect your systems from cyber attacks in the future.

Get legal help today

As a victim of hacking, you are not alone. We are here to help you defend your rights and recover your damages. Don't wait until it's too late: acting early significantly increases your chances of success.