WhatsApp Hacked? (You Should Try This Fix FIRST) 2024

Last updated on April 10th, 2023 at 03:27 pm

WhatsApp is a popular instant messaging app that allows users to send and receive text messages, voice messages, photos, and videos.

It also provides voice and video call functionality.

The app uses an internet connection to send and receive messages and is available for smartphones, tablets, and computers.

As with every social network, the possibility of your account getting hacked exist.

This article will explain what to do if your account gets hacked and how to protect your account from hackers.

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How to Know if Your WhatsApp Has Been Hacked?

Here are some signs that may indicate that your WhatsApp account has been hacked:

1. Unusual Activity

Unusual activity on a hacked WhatsApp account refers to any activity that you did not initiate yourself. This could include:

Sending messages: These messages may be spam messages, phishing links, or even malware.

Making calls: You notice that your WhatsApp account is making calls to contacts that you did not intend to call.

Changing settings: For example, the hacker may have changed your privacy settings to allow them to see your messages or contacts.

Creating Groups: The hacker might be using these groups to spread spam or malware.

Sharing location: Your location is being shared without your consent and knowledge.

Notifications: You receive notifications about messages or calls that you did not make.

2. Unfamiliar Contact

You see unfamiliar contacts in your WhatsApp contact list. The hacker must have added some contacts to carry out fraudulent activities.

WhatsApp accounts can be hacked in several ways, one of them being through an unknown number. Some common methods of hacking WhatsApp include:

Phishing: Scammers may send a message or email with a link that looks like it leads to WhatsApp, but takes you to a fake website where you are prompted to enter your login information.

Social engineering: Scammers may trick you into giving them your WhatsApp login information by posing as a legitimate representative of the app or a friend or family member.

Malware: Hackers may use malware to gain access to your phone and steal your WhatsApp login information.

SIM swap: Scammers may contact your phone company and trick them into transferring your phone number to a new SIM card, allowing them to receive your WhatsApp verification code and take control of your account.

You receive a verification code on an unknown phone number.

3. Unfamiliar Login Activities

If you notice strange login locations or devices on your account, it may indicate that someone has gained access to your account.

Unusual Activity: If you see unfamiliar posts, comments, or messages from your account, it may indicate that someone has hacked your account and is using it for their purposes.

Suspicious Email: If you receive emails that ask for your personal information, login credentials, or financial details, it may be a phishing attempt by a hacker.

Password Reset: If you receive an email or message that your password has been reset or changed, it may indicate that someone has gained access to your account and has changed your password.

How to Recover Hacked WhatsApp Account

If you suspect that your WhatsApp account has been hacked, you should take the following steps to recover it:

Change your WhatsApp password

Open WhatsApp on your phone, go to Settings, then Account, then Privacy, and then Change Number. You will then be prompted to enter your phone number and a verification code will be sent to your phone to confirm the change.

Verify Your Phone Number

When you receive the verification code, enter it into WhatsApp to verify your phone number. This will prevent the hacker from using your account on their device.

Revoke the Hacker’s Access

Go to WhatsApp Web in your WhatsApp settings and log out of all active sessions. This will revoke the hacker’s access to your account on their device.

Check Your WhatsApp Contacts

Check your WhatsApp contacts list to see if there are any unfamiliar contacts or numbers. If so, delete them.

Report the Hack

Report the hack to WhatsApp by filling out their contact form, and providing your phone number and the incident details.

Review Your Security Settings

Review your security settings and enable two-factor authentication if available.

Check Your Phone’s Security

Make sure your phone is protected with a strong passcode or fingerprint lock, and scan it for malware.

Be Cautious with Suspicious Messages

Be cautious of any suspicious messages, links, or phone calls. Don’t click on any links or provide personal information to unknown numbers or emails, especially if they ask for your WhatsApp login information.

Remember that recovering your hacked WhatsApp account may take some time, but following these steps can help to secure your account and prevent future hacking attempts.

NOTE: It’s important to take immediate action and investigate if you notice any of these signs of a hacked account. Change your password, update the recovery email and phone number, and if the situation allows, contact the service provider and report the hack.

How to Prevent Your Whatsapp Account From Being Hacked?

Use a strong and unique password.

Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files.
Keep your phone’s operating system and WhatsApp.
Enable two-factor authentication.

Be cautious of phishing scams, and do not provide personal information or login credentials to anyone.
Do not share your WhatsApp account information or login credentials with anyone.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi to access WhatsApp or other sensitive accounts.

Do not jailbreak or root your phone, as it can make it more vulnerable to hacking.
Keep your mobile device and SIM card secure.
Regularly review your WhatsApp account activity for any suspicious activity.

How Did Hackers Hack My WhatsApp Account?

Hackers can gain access to a WhatsApp account if the user’s device is compromised or if the user falls for a phishing scam.

WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to protect the privacy of its users, but this does not protect against malware or phishing attacks.

It is important to keep your device and WhatsApp app up to date, be cautious of suspicious links or messages, and use a strong password to protect your device.

WhatsApp Hacked Frequently Asked Questions

What if Someone Hacked Your WhatsApp Account?

Your messages on WhatsApp are protected by end-to-end encryption.

Though your messages are stored on your devices and not in the cloud, access gotten through a hack won’t enable the hacker to see your previous messages but this will not cover messages sent while the hacker has access to your account. New messages will be seen by the hacker.

How Can I Get my WhatsApp Account Back After Hack?

You can get back your account using the code authentication process:

Sign in to your WhatsApp account using your WhatsApp number.
You will be asked to verify your phone number by entering 6 digits code that will be sent via SMS. Once you enter the codes, you get logged in and the hacker logged out.

Can Hackers Get You Through WhatsApp?

If you are not careful with your device, hackers can get you through WhatsApp.

Due to the end-to-end encryption that exists, the hacker will not have access to your older messages but will be able to relate with some of your contacts.

How Do I Know if My WhatsApp Account Has Been Hacked?

Check for any suspicious activity on your account and check your WhatsApp web sessions to know if there is any activity that you don’t know about.

How Can I Know if My WhatsApp is Being Tracked?

To check and see if your WhatsApp is being tracked, do the following:

Open your WhatsApp.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the Chats section.

Click on the linked devices option. You will get the list of devices where your WhatsApp is logged in.

Can Someone See My WhatsApp Messages From Another Phone?

WhatsApp has a feature called WhatsApp Web which allows you to use WhatsApp on a computer by scanning a QR code, if you have logged into a computer, someone could have access to your messages.

It’s important to use a strong password, secure your phone with a lock code, and avoid giving access to others.

Conclusions

If you believe your WhatsApp account has been hacked, it is important to take immediate actions to secure your account and protect your personal information.

Ensure you report a hack immediately after you notice one so that you can prevent other persons from falling prey to the same hacker.

The code authentication process will help you recover your account. So, quickly log out of your WhatsApp, then, log back in using your WhatsApp number.

Once you validate your phone using the code sent to your number as SMS, you will be logged in and the hacker logged out.

It is best that you are very careful to prevent your account from being hacked as a lot of damage can be done before you recover your account.

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