Okay, so check this out—getting locked out of an exchange is one of those small crises that feels huge in the moment. Wow. You sit there, heart racing, and your brain goes straight to worst-case scenarios. My instinct said: don’t panic. Breathe. Then act methodically. Seriously, that helps.

First impressions matter. If you can’t reach the exchange login screen, or you think your account was compromised, treat it like a security incident rather than a mere inconvenience. On one hand you want to move fast to recover access; on the other hand rushing can make things worse—clicking the wrong link, replying to phishing emails, sharing private keys. Initially I thought a quick password reset would fix most problems, but then I realized that two-factor auth (2FA) and API keys complicate things. Actually, wait—let me rephrase that: password resets are often the first step, but if 2FA or API keys were the weak link, you need to address them too.

Here’s a straightforward recovery-and-hardening path that I’ve used and seen work for traders and builders. It’s practical, and it keeps you on the right side of security without getting bogged down in techy jargon.

Step 1 — Safe Password Recovery

First: verify you’re on the real login page. Look at the domain carefully and avoid links in random emails. Seriously—phonies are everywhere. If you’re unsure, type the exchange domain into the browser yourself rather than following search results. If Upbit is your target, type the known official domain rather than clicking an unsolicited link. If you need a quick reference I keep a bookmarked resource for the upbit login, but be cautious—always verify any page’s certificate and URL before entering credentials.

Next: use the built-in password reset flow. Most exchanges will send a recovery link to your registered email or ask for a verification code via SMS. This is normal. If your email is inaccessible, recover the email first—email is the gateway. If you can’t recover email, you’ll need the exchange support route, which typically asks for identity verification.

Support will often ask for KYC documents, recent transaction details, and maybe device fingerprinting info to confirm identity. That’s annoying but necessary. Be prepared to share only what the exchange requests, and avoid sending sensitive info over insecure channels. On one hand support can move fast; on the other hand, some requests take days—so batch your docs and respond promptly.

Step 2 — Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Backup Codes

2FA is a lifesaver. If you still have access to your 2FA device, great—use it to log in and immediately generate new backup codes. If the 2FA device is lost, use the exchange’s 2FA recovery process. That often requires ID and a selfie or other proof. It’s a pain, I know. But it’s designed to prevent attackers from simply claiming your account.

Pro tip: store backup codes in an encrypted password manager or a physical safe. Don’t screenshot them and leave that image in the cloud. Really—don’t.

Step 3 — API Authentication: Protect and Audit

APIs are powerful. They let automation trade or pull balances without you babysitting charts. But mismanaged API keys are a major attack vector. If you create API keys, follow these rules:

• Scopes: grant the minimum permissions needed. If an app only needs balance reads, don’t enable withdrawals.
• IP whitelisting: restrict keys to known server IPs where possible.
• Rotation: rotate keys regularly and rotate immediately if you suspect compromise.
• Storage: keep keys in a secrets manager (HashiCorp Vault, cloud secrets, or a hardware module). Don’t check them into code or public repos.
• Audit: remove keys no longer in use and keep a short list of active keys. Periodically review key creation logs.

On the developer-side: always sign requests client-side, and never expose raw API secrets in front-end code. If you run bots, run them on locked-down servers with limited user access. And if you need withdrawal capabilities for a bot, consider exchange-level withdrawal whitelists so funds can only move to pre-approved addresses.

Step 4 — Post-Recovery Hardening

Once you regain access, don’t just go back to trading. Pause. Do the following:

• Change your password to a strong, unique passphrase stored in a password manager.
• Revoke and recreate API keys.
• Reissue 2FA—set it up fresh rather than reusing backups that might be compromised.
• Enable withdrawal whitelists and address labeling where available.
• Check account activity and export logs for any unfamiliar IPs or transactions. If you see withdrawals you did not authorize, report immediately.

I’m biased, but hardware 2FA tokens (like YubiKey) and a good password manager are among the best investments for peace of mind. They aren’t glamorous. They just work.

When to Contact Support vs When to Move Assets

If you suspect a breach, contact support immediately and consider moving funds to cold storage if possible. On one hand moving assets immediately lowers theft risk. On the other, if the attacker already has withdrawal permissions, a move might trigger rate limits or alerts that complicate recovery. Though actually, the safe play usually is: secure your account (password, 2FA, API keys), then transfer funds to a known safe wallet when you have full control again.

Document everything. Screenshots. Time stamps. Emails. These help both support and, if necessary, law enforcement.