If my whatsapp is hacked how to stop
When WhatsApp Gets Hacked, Here’s What To Do
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging applications around. What made it so famous was that it was the first mobile app to offer free messaging. It has even overshadowed SMS, as the user doesn’t have to worry about character count anymore. They can type 15 characters or 500 without concerns of split messages. The limit is actually over 65,000 characters, so there is no need to worry there.
Another thing the users don’t have to worry about is the username. WhatsApp doesn’t need it. It connects to your cellphone number, so you’ll appear to the other users under the same name they assigned you in their contacts list.
Unfortunately, hackers can infiltrate your WhatsApp account. When this happens, you may wonder what you can do to get your account back and secure it to prevent future issues. This article explains what to do if your account becomes compromised and helps you protect it in the future.
How to Tell if Your Account is Compromised
One of the key indicators that your WhatsApp account is compromised is seeing contacts that aren’t yours. WhatsApp is so intuitive that it will add your contacts when you log in on a new device. Another sign is, of course, messages that you didn’t send. If you open WhatsApp and see suspicious messages, someone is likely using your account.
Another tell-tale sign of a compromised WhatsApp account is odd communications from the company. For example, you may have received an email about a change on your account. If you’ve received something like this, it’s a good idea to take action immediately.
Lastly, the company may have gotten hacked. This situation is usually a wide-scale attack that compromises users’ data. Unfortunately, there isn’t a great way to detect this type of activity. Regardless, WhatsApp will send you notifications that your account may have gotten compromised.
For more information, here’s how to recognize suspicious activity on WhatsApp.
What To Do If Your WhatsApp Account gets Hacked
Now that you’ve discovered ways to figure out if your account got hacked, it’s time to learn how to take action.
Remember, you’ll want to act quickly to protect your private information and regain control of your account.
Notify Your Contacts
One of the newer scams is hackers asking for a verification code while pretending to be your contact. Due to the nature of WhatsApp’s security features, all you need is a phone number and verification code to log in.
When someone compromises your WhatsApp account, they can send messages to your contacts stating that the company sent a verification code and then gain access to their account. That’s why one of the first things you’ll want to do is send a message to your friends and family, letting them know that you’ve lost access to your account. This action prevents further exploitation of your account and others.
Another reason you’ll want to let your contacts know you have no access to your WhatsApp account is that they may fish for your personal information. From your banking number to your email address, hackers will cleverly attempt to gain as much access to your personal information as possible.
Don’t Logout and Log Back In If You’re Receiving Verification Codes
While this may seem a little odd, one of the methods hackers are using is verification codes to lock you out so they can gain access. This action works because WhatsApp only allows so many verification codes to get sent at a time. When the hacker uses all of your attempts, you’ll have to wait 12 hours to receive another one. But, the hacker is more prepared than you are, so they’ll get the codes and log into your account. They are effectively locking you out.
If you receive multiple WhatsApp texts with verification codes, it’s best to ignore them. Continue to use your WhatsApp account as you usually would.
Things to Know for the Future
Regardless of horror stories about hacking, you can prevent many hacker attacks from occurring in the first place. In most cases, people unknowingly give hackers access to their devices when they open an infected message or some other piece of content sent from a suspicious source.
If you ever receive a message from an unknown number or a suspicious link, be sure to avoid opening it. The same goes for app installations. You should block all installations from unknown sources. The Play Store has an option that allows you to do this.
Public and unsecured networks are another thing you should use with care. Users should avoid public networks because they’re often unsafe.
If all else fails, it’s best to lock WhatsApp on your phone with an app locker or just deactivate your WhatsApp account.
Let Others Know
If you find out you’ve been hacked before someone asks you about strange activity from your account, be sure to tell them and post it on as many social networks as you possibly can. Also, don’t forget to report the issue to WhatsApp, as they will most likely help you take further action.
When all is said and done, you probably shouldn’t worry too much. In all likelihood, you aren’t the main target of these attacks, at least if you’re not giving away too much information on social media.
Try to share less and just focus on the social aspect of these apps. Also, don’t forget to take preventive action, such as locking WhatsApp, just for the sake of security.
Hacked WhatsApp FAQs
Can a hacker see my messages?
No. According to WhatsApp, all messages are stored on your device and not in a cloud service. Even though messages get stored on your device, they are protected by end-to-end encryption. If someone does gain unlawful access to your account, they won’t see any of your previous conversations.
How do I know if my WhatsApp account got hacked?
First, check if your battery life has dropped significantly. If so, this may be a sign.
See if the amount of internet data used up by your phone has increased for seemingly no reason. If so, there’s a chance you got hacked, even if it’s with another app.
As you probably already know, your phone’s temperature increases if it’s under increased pressure. However, if you’re not using any large, resource-heavy apps, at least at the moment, and your phone heats up regardless, you should consider spyware the possible suspect.
What else can I do if my WhatsApp account gets hacked?
Besides notifying friends and family of the hack and staying logged in to WhatsApp when receiving activation codes, it is a good idea to disable WhatsApp Web.
There’s an option labeled “Log out of all computers” that you should use. The feature also has a list of the devices where you last used your account so you can see if you don’t recognize any. The only problem with this method is that it gets based on the server you’re connected to, and VPNs also send the wrong location information. Regardless, location details can be a surefire sign of an unauthorized user in your account, mainly when you verify where you’ve logged in based on what your device sends in the way of information.
App lockers are an additional consideration, helping you lock any app on your smartphone. This way, hackers will have to unlock your phone before further attacking it.
There are also lockers specifically intended for WhatsApp.
Last but not least, try enabling two-step verification in the Account settings for an additional layer of protection.
I need more help. Is there a phone number I can call to contact WhatsApp?
Perhaps you aren’t tech-savvy, or the hacker dealt a massive blow to your account. Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not have a phone number you can call (similar to many online platforms today). But, if you do need more help, use the WhatsApp Contact Us page to report any issues you’re having and receive assistance from the support team.
My WhatsApp Hacked? Here's What You Should Know
Whatsapp’s current popularity is possible as it was the first mobile application to offer free messaging to all of its users. This attracted a lot of users to register their mobile numbers on Whatsapp without needing any other information and make signing up a seamless process. They have also added a lot of features over the years that the users love to use and also inspired other messaging platforms to add to their interface.
With so many people using Whatsapp, it has also become a target for some hackers to hack into other people’s Whatsapp accounts. We understand how big of a nightmare it is if your account has been compromised. So we will share with you how you can check if your account has been hacked and what the next steps will be.
Part 1: How to know if you've been hacked?
Being hacked is a scary thing and a great violation of your privacy. However, if you want to determine whether you have been hacked, there will be tell-tale signs that will give you a suspicion that your account is hacked.
One sign that could be an indicator that you have been hacked is that you notice that your app is performing unusually. Unusual in the sense that you have been receiving a lot of alerts about password changes or any authentication requests when you know that you did not change anything on your app.
Another sign is that you notice new contacts that have been added to your list without your knowledge.
For Whatsapp, it will add contacts once you sign in to a new device so if you have contacts that are unknown to you, there is a possibility that you have been hacked.
You can also check the messages that you have sent. If you see any message that you are sure you did not send, then there is a possibility your Whatsapp account is hacked.
Part 2: What should I do if my WhatsApp account has been hacked?
After checking your contacts, and messages, and getting a lot of notifications from Whatsapp, you are then sure that your Whatsapp account is hacked. We will share with you the next steps that you should do if you have been hacked.
- Option 1: Reset Your Password
Make sure that as soon as you figure out that you have been hacked, immediately change the password to your Whatsapp. This will at least give you the security that they will not be able to access your account.
- Option 2: Do Not Log Out and Log Back In
Hackers try to access your account by sending you verification codes so you can get locked out of your account.
So when you receive the notification about the verification codes, it will be best to just ignore them and not log out at all.
- Option 3: Inform your contacts
Once you have determined that you have been hacked, inform your contacts about it as hackers will try to reach out to your contacts and ask for the verification code for their accounts which will also lead to them being hacked. Let them know to not entertain any messages from you asking about any code.
Part 3: Tips to prevent your WhatsApp from getting hacked
Once you have determined that you have been or have not been hacked, you should do the needful to prevent any hacking incident to happen to you in the future. There are ways how you can prevent your Whatsapp account from being hacked. We will share them with you so you can be more careful when using your mobile.
- Tip# 1: Do not open any unsuspicious links or messages from contacts that you do not know of.
- Tip# 2: Avoid using public networks if possible as they are deemed unsafe to use.
- Tip# 3: Change your password more frequently if you can.
- Tip# 4: Enable the Two-Factor Authentication on your Whatsapp account for additional security of your account.
- Tip# 5: Do not leave your phone unattended especially if you are out or in a public space.
Part 4: How to transfer WhatsApp data to my new phone securely?
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Conclusion
Being hacked is a scary situation that could happen to anyone. If you have a suspicion that you have been hacked, try all of the tips and suggestions we shared to determine whether you have been hacked.
You have to also make sure that you have taken the necessary safety precautions on your side such as changing your passwords or enabling the “Two-Factor Authentication” in Whatsapp as an additional layer of security for your account.
Recommended reading: Samsung vs. Apple iPhone: Which Phones Are More Secure and Why?
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WhatsApp account hacking attempts have increased in the last few weeks. Even if you have SMS login confirmation set, your account may be taken away.
The signal that they are trying to hack you will be SMS messages showing that someone enters your phone number in their application and wants to receive a code to enter your account.
You will see a similar notification in WhatsApp itself - this is a signal that someone wants to access your correspondence and contact list.
Of course, such messages can be ignored, because the code to enter your account comes to your phone, and not to hackers, but not everything is so simple. With a certain desire, an attacker can still intercept this code - for example, if he receives a duplicate SIM card in a communication salon, impersonating you, or uses equipment that exploits cellular network vulnerabilities and redirects messages to his device.
Protecting WhatsApp login using a code that comes via SMS cannot be considered reliable, so if you want to protect your account 100% from hacking, you should protect it with a PIN code. WhatsApp provides such an opportunity - you can add a PIN code through the settings. Now, every time you launch the application, you will have to enter this code, which is not very convenient, but you will be completely protected.
This protection is implemented at the account level, not the device level, that is, the same PIN code will need to be entered when trying to log into an account on another smartphone. Even if an attacker intercepts an SMS message with an account login code, he is unlikely to be able to pick up a PIN code (of course, unless you set something very simple, like 000000 or 123456).
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Here's what to do if you've been hacked WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps.
What made it so popular is that it was the first mobile app to offer free messaging. It even dwarfs SMS as you don't have to worry about character count anymore. They can enter 15 characters or 500 characters without fear of message splitting. The limit is actually over 65000 characters, so you don't have to worry about anything.
Another thing you don't have to worry about is the username. WhatsApp is not needed. It calls your mobile number so you will be shown to other users with the same name they have assigned you in their contact list.
Unfortunately, hackers can get into your WhatsApp account. When this happens, you might be wondering what you can do to recover and secure your account to prevent problems in the future. This article explains what to do if your account is hacked so you can protect it in the future.
In this article
How to check if your account has been hacked
One of the main signs that your WhatsApp account has been hacked is viewing other people's contacts.
WhatsApp is so easy to use that it will add your contacts when you sign in on a new device. Another sign is, of course, the messages you didn't send. If you open WhatsApp and see suspicious messages, someone may be using your account.
Another sign that a WhatsApp account has been hacked are individual messages from the company. For example, you may have received an email about a change to your account. If you have received something like this, it is recommended that you take action immediately.
Finally, the company could be hacked. Typically, this situation is a large-scale attack that damages user data. Unfortunately, there is no good way to detect this type of activity. Either way, WhatsApp will send you notifications that your account has been hacked.
For more information, here's how to find out Suspicious activity on WhatsApp.
What to do if your WhatsApp account has been hacked
Now that you've figured out how to tell if your WhatsApp account has been hacked, it's time to take action.
Remember that you will need to act quickly to protect your personal information and regain control of your account.
1. Tell your contacts
One new scam is when hackers ask for a verification code while pretending to be your contact person. Due to the nature of WhatsApp's security features, all you need is a phone number and a verification code to sign in.
When someone hacks into your WhatsApp account, they can send messages to your contacts that the company has sent a verification code and then access their account. That's why the first thing you want to do is send a message to your friends and family letting them know that you've lost access to your account. This action prevents further use of your account and others.
Another reason you'd like to tell your contacts that you can't access your WhatsApp account is because they might be after your personal information. From your bank number to your email address, hackers will cleverly try to get as much access to your personal information as possible.
2. Do not log out and log back in if you receive verification codes.
Although it may seem a little strange, hackers use verification codes to block you and gain access. This procedure works because WhatsApp only allows you to send multiple verification codes at a time. When the hacker has used up all your attempts, you will have to wait 12 hours to get another try. But the hacker has more desire than you, so he will get the codes and log into your account. They effectively book you.
If you receive a lot of WhatsApp messages containing verification codes, it's best to ignore them. Continue using your WhatsApp account as usual.
What you need to know for the future
Despite the scary stories of hacking, you can prevent many hacker attacks. In most cases, people unknowingly give hackers access to their devices when they open an infected message or other piece of content sent from a suspicious source.
If you ever receive a message from an unknown number or a suspicious link, don't open it.
The same goes for installing apps. You must block all installations from unknown sources. There is an option in the Play Store that allows you to do this.
Public and unsecured networks are another thing you should use with care. Users should avoid public networks as they are often insecure.
If all else fails, it's best to block WhatsApp on your phone using the app locker or simply deactivate your WhatsApp account.
Tell others
If you find out you've been hacked before anyone asks you about strange activity on your account, be sure to let them know and post it on as many social networks as you can. Also, don't forget to report the issue to WhatsApp, as this will most likely help you take further action.
When all is said and done, you probably won't have to worry too much. In all likelihood, you won't be the main target of these attacks, at least not unless you expose a lot of information on social media. Try to share less and focus only on the social aspect of these apps.
Also, don't forget to take precautions like blocking WhatsApp just to be safe.
WhatsApp FAQ
Can a hacker see my messages?
no. According to WhatsApp, all messages are stored on your device and not on the cloud service. While the messages are stored on your device, they are end-to-end encrypted. If someone gains illegal access to your account, they won't see your past conversations.
How do I know if my WhatsApp account has been hacked?
First, check to see if the battery life has decreased significantly. If so, then this could be a sign.
Check if the amount of internet data your phone is using has increased for no apparent reason. If this is the case, there is a chance that you could be hacked even if you are using a different app.
As you already know, your phone will overheat if it is subjected to increased loads. However, if you are not running any large and resource intensive apps, at least not currently, and your phone is overheating anyway, then you should consider spyware as a possible suspect.
What else can I do if my WhatsApp account has been hacked?
In addition to notifying friends and family of a hack and keeping WhatsApp signed in when you receive activation codes, it's a good idea to turn off WhatsApp Web.
There is a "Log out of all computers" option that you must use. The feature also has a list of the devices you last used your account on so you can see if you recognize any of them. The only problem with this method is that it depends on the server you are connecting to and VPNs also send incorrect location information. Either way, location information can be a sure sign of an unauthorized user on your account, especially when you're checking where you're signed in based on the information your device sends.
App blockers are an additional consideration as they help block any app on your smartphone. Thus, hackers will have to unlock your phone before attacking it further. There are also lockers specifically designed for whatsapp.
Last but not least, try enabling two-step verification in your account settings for an extra layer of protection.
