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WhatsApp was launched in February 2009 and currently there are 2.7 billion people who use WhatsApp on a monthly basis.
Within just a few years, Whatsapp has become a leading platform for online communication. From sending simple texts to high quality video calls, from sharing pictures to sending funny stickers, the world of Whatsapp is full of exciting features.
The developers of whatsapp have promised the users a strong privacy policy and highly encrypted communication. But is it always possible to stay secure from hacks on WhatsApp? Let’s find out.
In this blog, we will look at various aspects of WhatsApp to answer: can someone hack my WhatsApp?
16 November 2023 – WhatsApp Data Breach
With the advancement of technology and applications, hackers have also learnt new ways to steal your data and breach your privacy, and WhatsApp is no exception.
The recent revelation of a massive database containing 487 million WhatsApp mobile numbers raises serious concerns about user privacy and security.
A bad actor’s attempt to sell this extensive dataset on a hacking community forum underscores the growing threat of personal information being exploited for malicious purposes. With records from 84 countries, including 32 million from the United States, the potential impact was dramatic.
Hackers even set different prices for specific countries like $7,000 for the USA, $2,500 for the UK, and $2,000 for Germany.
This recent WhatsApp data breach is a big deal because it could lead to tricks and scams, so if you use WhatsApp, be cautious about answering calls or messages from unknown numbers.
You never know who is out there to steal your information. And by now you know – WhatsApp can be hacked.
How Do You Find Out Whether My WhatsApp is Hacked or Not?
The first step to dealing with a hacked Whatsapp account is finding out about it. If you’re oblivious about it, you’ll do much damage to yourself.
There are numerous ways to find out if your whatsapp account is hacked or not easily. All you need to do is keep your eyes open and your mind sane.
Change of Personal Info
One of the most obvious signs that your WhatsApp is hacked is the change of your profile picture, name or status. If you’re not the one who has done it then who else? This little tweaking is a red flag, and you must take quick action to counter it as soon as possible.
Shady Messages Sent to Your Friends
Another major sign of a hacked Whatsapp account is that your friends suddenly start receiving your messages. These messages may contain malicious links, photos and even weird requests.
If you’re not the one who’s been doing all this, there’s more than an 80% chance that a hacker has gained access to your WhatsApp and is now using it to tarnish your reputation.
Password Reset Requests
There are numerous cases where hackers still need to be made aware of your whatsapp password and they keep on guessing it.
However, sometimes, they may be trying to steal your password by sending you password reset requests through WhatsApp and the moment you want to do it, you’ll lose your whatsapp information.
Unrecognized Devices
Reviewing the list of devices connected to your WhatsApp account is a crucial step in maintaining the security of your account.
To do this, go to the WhatsApp settings, often found in the account or privacy section. Within the settings, there is typically an option to view the devices connected to your account. This list includes all the devices where your WhatsApp account is active.
If you notice unfamiliar or unrecognized devices on this list, it may indicate potential unauthorized access. Each device entry usually includes details such as the device type and last active timestamp.
If you spot a device that you cannot identify or that seems suspicious, it’s essential to take immediate action
Multiple Logins
Whenever you log into your WhatsApp account from a different location or device, you instantly receive a notification on your email ID asking whether the login activity was done.
If you last logged into your WhatsApp from another location a long time ago and suddenly received an alert regarding it, you need to take quick action in order to protect your WhatsApp account.
What Steps Should you Take if Your Whatsapp is Hacked?
Even after constant efforts, if you lose your WhatsApp to hackers, there’s still a way back. You can save a lot of your data if you take quick action. Some ways can enable you to undo the damage.
Change Your Password/Pin
Changing your PIN is one of the most critical steps you need to take as soon as possible in case of a hacked WhatsApp account.
While changing your login details, don’t log out of your account. It can prove to be beneficial to the hacker and they can get even a much stronger hold on your account. All you need to do is change your login details through your mobile phone as per the following instructions:
- Go to your WhatsApp settings
- Open Account
- Select Two-Step Verification
- Now click on “Change Pin.”
- Enter your new PIN code
Get Rid of Malware
Sometimes, Whatsapp doesn’t get hacked directly. The collateral damage comes with the malware infection in your device.
Try to look for signs of whether your device has malware in it or not.
Some of the most common signs include:
- Low level of device performance
- Unwanted apps that you never really installed in the first place
- Low storage
Even if these signs are absent, download an antivirus and run a thorough security check to be safe.
Let Your Contacts Know
Also, if your WhatsApp is hacked, tell all your contacts about the incident. The hacker may try to harm or steal their data by sending them links containing potential threats. If you let them know on time, you can save them from harm’s face.
Steps to Prevent Your Whatsapp from Getting Hacked
Although Whatsapp is a highly encrypted platform, incidents point out otherwise. If you don’t want to become a victim of cyber security threats, you must follow some important steps and keep your WhatsApp safe.
Two-Step Verification
One of the most effective ways of protecting your whatsapp account from getting hacked is by enabling two-factor verification.
In this type of security measure, if you try to log in to Whatsapp after the initial log in essentials, you’ll have to verify your identity from another source. It can be through an email or your mobile phone.
Also, if somebody else is trying to mess with your account, you’ll receive an alert on your phone beforehand. In order to enable the two-step verification, follow these steps:
- Go to Whatsapp settings
- Open Account
- Click on Two-Step Verification
- Click on “Turn On”
- Type in your email ID and confirm it.
- Type your six-digit PIN.
Update Regularly
Regular updates are crucial for maintaining the security of your WhatsApp. To counter the threats, developers regularly release updates to address vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures.
These updates often include patches to fix known issues that hackers could exploit. By staying current with these updates, you benefit from the latest security enhancements and ensure your messaging app is equipped to resist emerging threats.
Regularly Back Up Chats
Regularly backing up your WhatsApp chats is a wonder practice that provides a safety net in the event of security concerns or when switching devices.
These backups store your chat history, media files, and settings, allowing you to restore your data seamlessly. In case of a security breach or if you switch to a new phone, having recent backups ensures you won’t lose important conversations or files.
Don’t Click on Suspicious Links
One of the oldest ways hackers get inside your system is by sending suspicious links. These links contain malware or other sorts of threats that can bring some real damage to you.
To stay safe, it’s best to avoid clicking on unverified links. You can also make use of WhatsApp’s suspicious linked detection.
Logout from Web Sessions
Users of the WhatsApp Web platform must exercise diligence in managing their active sessions to mitigate the risk of unwanted access. WhatsApp Web enables users to mirror their mobile application on a computer browser, providing convenience in accessing messages and media.
However, failure to log out from inactive sessions may expose sensitive information to potential security threats. Implementing a habit of logging out after each usage ensures that you maintain optimal control over the integrity and confidentiality of your WhatsApp communication channels.
Avoid Public Network
Try to stay away from public networks as much as possible. These networks are a hub for hackers to prey on their potential victims. Don’t use public networks or WiFi if you don’t want to be one of them.
Use Antivirus
There’s a reason antivirus has become so popular these days. It’s because the cyber security threats have intelligently evolved and become hard to deal with.
To keep yourself free from cybersecurity vulnerabilities and provide your WhatsApp account with some extra protection, there’s no harm in installing a reputable and effective antivirus on your device.
This antivirus will always work in the background, protecting you against malicious actors you do not know about.
Don’t fancy the idea of Connected Devices.
Often, we log into our Whatsapp accounts on different devices by connecting the main mobile phone with them. This can become problematic if you do it usually or need to remember to log out from the connected device.
You’re putting your privacy at risk with your own hands. If the connected device gets hacked, you’ll lose your WhatsApp data and many more secrets.
Use PureVPN for Added Security
Simply by using PureVPN, you can enhance the privacy and security of your online activities, including your WhatsApp communication. PureVPN encrypts your internet connection, making it more challenging for third parties to intercept or monitor your data.
When accessing WhatsApp through PureVPN, your IP address is masked, and you stay protected from malicious actors.
Moreover, PureVPN is particularly valuable when using public WiFi networks, as it encrypts your data and prevents unauthorized access to your conversations or personal information.
Secure your WhatsApp – It’s Important
Securing your WhatsApp account from potential hackers is crucial to safeguard your privacy and personal information. Begin by enabling two-step verification in the app settings, adding an extra layer of security with a PIN.
Regularly update the WhatsApp application to ensure you have the latest security patches. Be cautious about clicking on suspicious links or sharing verification codes with anyone, as these could be phishing attempts.
Avoid using public WiFi networks for sensitive conversations, and consider using a reputable antivirus app on your device.
Additionally, regularly review the devices connected to your WhatsApp account and log out of any sessions you don’t recognize, along with using PureVPN.
By staying vigilant and following these steps, you can enhance the protection of your WhatsApp account against potential cyber threats.
Anas Hasan
November 29, 2023
5 months ago
