How to hack whatsapp account in ghana

WhatsApp Hacking: Here are the 8 ways your messages can be compromised | Technology News

Popular messaging platform WhatsApp has become a talking point for quite some time now. It comes with several security features, like the use of end-to-end encryption to keep messages private. Despite having such features, hackers try various ways and means to compromise the privacy of your messages and contacts.

Check out the eight ways that WhatsApp can be hacked:

1. Remote Code Execution via GIF

Security researcher Awakened had earlier revealed a vulnerability in WhatsApp that basically allows hackers to take control of the app with the help of a GIF image. It functions in a way that the hackers take advantage of the way WhatsApp processes images when the user opens the Gallery view to send a media file.

After that, the app parses the GIF to show a preview of the file. GIF files have multiple encoded frames which means that there are several codes that are hidden within the image.

If a hacker plans to send a malicious GIF to a user, they could hack the entire chat history of the user and they can also get to know who all are sending messages to the user along with the files, photos, and videos sent through WhatsApp.The vulnerability affected versions of WhatsApp up to 2.19.230 on Android 8.1 and 9.

2. The Pegasus Voice Call Attack

The Pegasus Voice Call attack was discovered in early 2019. By this attack, hackers used to get access to a device by simply doing a WhatsApp voice call and even if the user doesn’t pick up the call, the attack would be successful. The user is also unaware of the fact that the malware has been installed on their device.

This attack installed an older and well-known piece of spyware called Pegasus which basically allows hackers to collect data on phone calls, messages, photos, and video. It even lets them activate devices' cameras and microphones to take recordings.

This kind of attack was used by the Israeli firm NSO Group which has been accused of spying on Amnesty International staff and other human rights activists. After news of the hack broke, WhatsApp was updated to protect it from this attack.

3. Socially Engineered Attacks

WhatsApp is vulnerable through socially engineered attacks as it exploits human psychology to steal information or spread misinformation.

Security firm CheckPoint Research revealed one such attack called FakesApp which allowed people to misuse the quote feature in the group chat and to alter the text of another person's reply. Taking advantage of that, hackers could plant fake statements that appear to be from other legitimate users.

This was possible by decrypting WhatsApp communications and it allowed them to see data sent between the mobile version and the web version of WhatsApp.

After that they could change values in group chats and further impersonate other people, sending messages which appeared to be from them. The text replies also could be changed.

4. Media File Jacking

Media File Jacking harshly affects both WhatsApp and Telegram. This attack takes advantage of the way that apps receive media files like photos or videos and write those files to a device's external storage.

The attack starts by installing malware hidden inside an app and then monitoring incoming files for Telegram or WhatsApp.

5. Facebook Could Spy on WhatsApp Chats

In a blog post, WhatsApp implied that because it uses end-to-end encryption, it is impossible for Facebook to read WhatsApp content:

"When you and the people you message are using the latest version of WhatsApp, your messages are encrypted by default, which means you're the only people who can read them. Even as we coordinate more with Facebook in the months ahead, your encrypted messages stay private and no one else can read them. Not WhatsApp, not Facebook, nor anyone else."

However, a developer called Gregorio Zanon disagreed with WhatsApp and said that not every message is private and on an operating system like iOS 8 and above, apps can access files in a "shared container."

Both the Facebook and WhatsApp apps perform the same shared container on devices. While chats are encrypted when they are sent, they are not necessarily encrypted on the originating device. This means the Facebook app could potentially copy information from the WhatsApp app.

6. Paid Third-Party Apps

Third party legal apps have increased in the market and they are being used to hack the secure systems and it could be done by big companies to work hand-in-hand with oppressive regimes to target activists and journalists; or by cybercriminals intent on getting your personal information.

Apps like Spyzie and mSPY can easily hack into your WhatsApp account by stealing your private data. A user needs to just purchase the app, install it, and activate it on the target phone.

7. Fake WhatsApp Clones

Fake websites clones can be used for installing malware and these clone sites are known as malicious websites.

This has also been adopted for breaking into Android systems. To hack into your WhatsApp account, an attacker will first try to install a clone of WhatsApp, which might look strikingly similar to the original app. The classic case is the WhatsApp Pink scam.

8. WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web can also be hampered by hacking into the computer that WhatsApp has been logged in.

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Hackers steal WhatsApp accounts using call forwarding trick

There’s a trick that allows attackers to hijack a victim’s WhatsApp account and gain access to personal messages and contact list.

The method relies on the mobile carriers’ automated service to forward calls to a different phone number, and WhatsApp’s option to send a one-time password (OTP) verification code via voice call.

The MMI code trick

Rahul Sasi, the founder and CEO of digital risk protection company CloudSEK, posted some details about the method saying that it is used to hack WhatsApp account.

BleepingComputer tested and found that the method works, albeit with some caveats that a sufficiently skilled attacker could overcome.

It takes just a few minutes for the attacker to take over the WhatsApp account of a victim, but they need to know the target’s phone number and be prepared do some social engineering.

Sasi says that an attacker first needs to convince the victim to make a call to a number that starts with a Man Machine Interface (MMI) code that the mobile carrier set up to enable call forwarding.

Depending on the carrier, a different MMI code can forward all calls to a terminal to a different number or just when the line is busy or there is no reception.

These codes start with a star (*) or a hash (#) symbol. They are easily found and from the research we did, all major mobile network operators support them.

“First, you receive a call from the attacker who will convince you to make a call to the following number **67* or *405*. Within a few minutes, your WhatsApp would be logged out, and the attackers would get complete control of your account” - Rahul Sasi

The researcher explains that the 10 digit number belongs to the attacker and the MMI code in front of it tells the mobile carrier to forward all calls to the phone number specified after it when the victim’s line is busy.

Once they tricked the victim into forwarding calls to their number, the attacker starts the the WhatsApp registration process on their device, choosing the option to receive the OTP via voice call.

WhatsApp options for receiving one-time password, source: BleepingComputer

After they get the OTP code, the attacker can register the victim’s WhatsApp account on their device and enable two-factor authentication (2FA), which prevents legitimate owners from regaining access.

Some caveats

Although the method seems simple, getting it to work requires a little more effort, as BleepingComputer found during testing.

First off, the attacker needs to make sure that they use an MMI code that forwards all calls, regardless of the victim device’s state (unconditionally). For example, if the MMI only forwards calls when a line is busy, call waiting may cause the hijack to fail.

During testing, BleepingComputer noticed that the target device also received text messages informing that WhatsApp is being registered on another device.

Users may miss this warning if the attacker also turns to social engineering and engages the target in a phone call just long enough to receive the WhatsApp OTP code over voice.

BleepingComputer · OTP message from WhatsApp

If call forwarding has already been activated on the victim device, the attacker must use a different phone number than the one used for the redirection - a small inconvenience that might require more social engineering.

The most clear clue of suspicious activity for the target user occurs after the mobile operators turn on call forwarding for their device, since activation comes with a warning overlayed on the screen that doesn't go away until the user confirms it.

Mobile carriers warn users when call forwarding becomes active, source: BleepingComputer

Even with this highly visible warning, threat actors still have a good chance of success because most users are not familiar with the MMI codes or the mobile phone settings that disable call forwarding.

Despite these obstacles, malicious actors with good social engineering skills can devise a scenario that allows them to keep the victim busy on the phone until they get the OTP code for registering the victim WhatsApp account on their device.

BleepingComputer has tested this method using mobile services from Verizon and Vodafone and concluded that an attacker with a plausible scenario is likely to hijack WhatsApp accounts.

Sasi's post refers to Airtel and Jio mobile carriers, each with more than 400 million customers as of December 2020, according to public data.

Protecting against this type attack is as easy as turning on two-factor authentication protection in WhatsApp. This feature prevents malicious actors from getting control of the account by requiring a PIN whenever you register a phone with the messaging app.

Hack whatsapp account using phone number

Answers to questions that may arise when working with the software.

Does the app allow you to manage WhatsApp backups?: Yes, you get full control over account backups: you can download, restore or delete them. When a backup is deleted, the user is likely to be notified about it.
Is it possible to export WhatsApp for Business profile contact list?: Of course, WhatsApp profile contacts for business are exported as tables of any popular format. In addition, when exporting, you can choose to structure the data into a specific template suitable for importing into the largest targeted advertising tools.
What options does accessing the Gallery of someone else's smartphone give me? Can I delete photos?: Access to the Gallery allows you to view photos and videos, help information about them, save them in the memory of your AppMessenger account or download them to your device. Photos cannot be deleted.
Where are call records stored? Is there a space limit on this storage?: All call records are stored in your personal AppMessenger storage, at the moment the storage space is unlimited.
How to intercept a message with a verification code without access to the phone?: During the exploitation of the SS7 protocol vulnerability, a remote interception of a message occurs at the specified phone number. This is necessary to log into the specified account on a specially configured WhatsApp emulator, which allows you to create an archive in a few minutes containing: incoming and outgoing text messages, information about the current location, call history indicating the interlocutor and duration, contact lists, as well as received and sent photo and video files.
What are the main use cases for AppMessenger Tracker?: Clients independently determine the scope of the product, which is most often remote monitoring (family members, loved ones or company employees.) It is worth noting that the absence of the need to confirm consent from the owner of the device allows you to use the software in accordance with your individual needs.
How to hack WhatsApp online without access to the phone: Our developers have created an absolutely unique method of obtaining personal information, free from downloading and using spyware on the target device. Thus, any WhatsApp hacking program becomes a relic of the past. Gain online access without the risk of being detected, thanks to the comprehensive implementation of advanced technologies in the field of cybersecurity and encryption.
Can I download hacked account voice messages to my device?: Yes, voice messages are exported as MP3 files, they can be downloaded one at a time or in batches of different types (messages of a specific contact, a specific day, a specific length).

An expert told how to protect yourself from fraud in WhatsApp

December 03, 2020, 14:52 Technology

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WhatsApp, one of the most popular instant messengers in the world with a billion users, is often the target of scammers. To protect yourself from possible intruders, experts recommend three security-critical settings.

By default, WhatsApp messenger is not a 100% secure messaging service, but it has features that enhance user protection, reports Forbes reporter Zach Doffman.

Many WhatsApp scams involve social engineering, where an attacker tricks you into giving them a secret code sent via SMS. As a rule, he takes over the account of your friend or relative, ingratiates himself, and then with the help of a verification combination gains access to a new profile.

To prevent such a situation, you need to be extremely careful and suspicious of all requests to send a code from SMS, even if they come from people you know.

In addition, it is worth enabling several features in the WhatsApp settings on your smartphone in order to make it as difficult as possible for hackers to take over your account.

First of all, you need to enable two-step verification. It will allow you to connect to your account not only using SMS messages, but also using a personal PIN code, which is set by the user himself. You can do this as follows: "Settings" → "Account" → "Two-step verification". If there is a PIN code associated with the device, the fraudster will not be able to access the profile, even if they intercept the SMS message with the secret code.

If you have forgotten your PIN, you can recover your PIN using e-mail. Sometimes WhatsApp will ask you to enter your PIN when you try to open a chat as a preventive measure.

Next, pay attention to what your WhatsApp account does with photos and videos that other users send you. By default, such content is automatically saved to an album. This can be convenient, but also dangerous - if you do not know the sender, then he may well be an attacker who hid malicious code in a harmless postcard.

When saving a picture to the phone's memory, a hacker could potentially gain access to the system, and therefore personal data, including bank card information.

To avoid this, disable automatic saving of media content to the phone memory. This is done as follows: "Settings" → "Chats" → "Media Visibility". This slider must be moved to the left position, that is, disabled. This step will also save free memory on your smartphone.

In addition, the expert recommends that you take care of your privacy settings and limit the circle of people who can see your profile photo, details and last visit data. This can also be done in "Settings" → "Account" → "Privacy" → "Visibility of personal data". Then you need to allow only your contacts to view personal information.

In the same menu below, it is recommended to prevent strangers from adding you to groups. In this case, the person will still have the opportunity to invite you to a general chat, but this will not be done automatically, but upon a preliminary request, which can always be rejected.

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