Signs Your WhatsApp Is Being Hijacked Remotely and How to Stop It
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – There are signs you can notice when WhatsApp is hijacked or tapped. But don’t panic; there are ways to stop the tapping on WhatsApp.
There are many methods by which attackers can intercept and spy. Such as installing third-party apps, using WhatsApp Web, or sending malware to the phone.
This can be very dangerous, especially since WhatsApp is now also used to receive One Time Passwords from various apps, including online shopping and financial apps.
The signs that WhatsApp is being tapped are fairly easy to recognise, as follows:
- OTP
One Time Password (OTP) is a six-digit code and is usually sent via SMS when accessing WhatsApp. This means if a message comes in, someone is attempting to access your WhatsApp account. Do not give this OTP to anyone.
- Logout from WhatsApp
One sign to recognise is suddenly logging out of WhatsApp. It could be that another device is trying to log into the WhatsApp account. You can identify that other device by tapping the three-dot menu and selecting WhatsApp Web.
- Read messages
When a message has been opened and read, you should be cautious. This could be a sign that your account has been hijacked.
- Messages sending themselves
This sign is the same as the previous. Be wary if suddenly there are messages being sent automatically when you did not send them.
- Unfamiliar WhatsApp status
There is an unfamiliar WhatsApp status suddenly appearing, not created by the user themselves.
- Unknown calls
There are foreign calls on WhatsApp that were not made by the user.
WhatsApp hack solutions
Before the tapping occurs, there is a method that can be done: enable two-step verification (Two-Step Verification).
Enable Two-Step Verification
To prevent becoming a victim of tapping by turning on WhatsApp security features, two-step verification. This way, criminals cannot access WhatsApp because they do not know the code used. Here is how to enable it:
Tap the three-dot option
Go to Settings, then Account and tap Two-Step Verification
Tap Enable
Enter a six-digit code
Don’t forget to enter an email address to recover the code if you forget
However, if it has already happened you can use this method.
Report to WhatsApp
When you discover the account has been hacked, deactivate the account immediately. Users can contact WhatsApp support email at support@whatsapp.com with the keyword “Lost/stolen: please deactivate my account” in the body of the email to deactivate the account.
Users can provide details of the incident chronology, including when and how the account was hacked.
Users have 30 days to reactivate the account before it is permanently deleted.
Re-login
You can reinstall WhatsApp to deal with the tapping. This can be done if the user has pressed the option to transfer the account.
Note that reinstall with the same registered number. Then you can know the OTP code sent to that number.
Lock WhatsApp Account Screen
The last method is to lock the screen as on Android devices. So no one else can access it. To do this, open Settings > Privacy > select Lock Screen > Scan fingerprint.
Careful check WhatsApp Web
In addition, users should frequently check devices logged in via WhatsApp Web. If there is a device that is not known, log out immediately.
How to check connected devices via WhatsApp Web:
Tap the three-dot option
Click WhatsApp Web
Next you will see a list of devices connected to your WhatsApp account
Choose Log out from all devices.