In today’s digital world, messaging apps have become an important part of daily social communication. Among the most popular messaging apps, WhatsApp is used by billions of people worldwide. Due to its popularity, hackers and cybercriminals often target this platform.
Many users don’t realize that their accounts can be compromised due to simple tricks such as phishing links, fake verification messages, and social engineering. If a hacker gains access to your WhatsApp account, they can read your private messages, access your contacts, misuse your personal information, and take any action that could lead to legal action against you.
The good thing is that there are some simple security steps you can follow to keep your account completely safe. In this article, we will explain to you how you can protect your WhatsApp account from hackers.
Why does a WhatsApp account get hacked?
To protect your account, it’s important first to understand how hackers often access other people’s information and use it to their advantage.
- The most common method by which people’s WhatsApp accounts are hacked is the verification code scheme. When you log in to WhatsApp, a six-digit code is sent to your phone number. Hackers try to trick you into sharing that code so that they can log in to your account on their device. If you tell someone the code that was sent to your SIM on WhatsApp, your account will be hacked.
- The second is phishing links. Sometimes you receive a suspicious message that contains a link that claims rewards or something. If you click on that link, it could be a fake website that can steal your personal information and use it for their own benefit. They can also hack your WhatsApp account.
- Many hackers also use social engineering. They try to gain your trust by posing as a friend, relative, or support agent and then ask for sensitive information. If you give your sensitive and personal information to a stranger, not only your WhatsApp but also other things can be hacked.
Enable two-step verification
WhatsApp’s most powerful security feature is two-step verification. Enabling this feature adds an extra layer of security to your account. Whenever someone tries to enter your phone number on the device, they will also have to enter a six-digit PIN. If they don’t enter the six-digit PIN, they won’t be able to log in. This means that even if a hacker gets the verification code, they won’t be able to log in without the PIN.
How to set up two-step verification
First of all, open WhatsApp, click on Settings, select Account, click on the option for Two-Step Verification, click on Enable, and set your secure PIN. This simple step makes the account quite secure.
Never share your verification code.
Your Verification Code works just like a password. Never share it with anyone, even if someone calls themselves a support agent, relative, or someone else. Never share your verification code with anyone. No legitimate company will ask you for a verification code. If someone asks you for a code, understand that they are a scammer. Always keep your verification code private and do not share it with anyone so that you are completely safe.
Avoid Suspicious Links and Messages
Cybercriminals often send messages that are suspicious. These links claim free rewards, free internet data, or urgent updates. Never click on these links because they can be very dangerous.
Before clicking, you should ask yourself these questions:
- Do I trust the sender?
- Does the message look too attractive?
- Does the message look different from other messages?
If your answer is yes, then it is best to ignore the next one, so you understand that your WhatsApp will be blocked.
Log out of unknown devices
If you think someone has accessed your account, go to the Linked Devices section and check. There you will see all the devices that are linked to your account. Here, all your devices are listed. If any unknown device is visible, tap on the device name, select Log Out, and disconnect this device.
What to do if your WhatsApp account has been hacked
If you think your account has been hacked, you need to take action as soon as possible because if you give in even a little, you may have to pay a huge price. First, log in to your WhatsApp account again. When you enter your new verification code, the hacker will automatically log out. If the problem persists, contact WhatsApp support. Also, inform your contacts not to call your number temporarily, so that they do not fall victim to the scam.
Conclusion
Today, online security has become very important because our society depends a lot on messages. WhatsApp is widely used in the world. For the same purpose, hackers also target WhatsApp users because they benefit a lot from hacking WhatsApp. Fortunately, it is not difficult to secure your account. Enable two-step verification. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and do not share your verification code with anyone.
If you follow the security practices mentioned in this guide, you can keep your data safe and protected from hackers.