Hacking Via WhatsApp and Other Online Applications and Programs

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Crooks and hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are learning new ways to swindle their victims. As they get smarter, technology users need to get smarter as well.

WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps used around the world, primarily because it offers free messaging without a character count and automatically connects you to everyone in your contact list. Unfortunately, WhatsApp is one of the most vulnerable applications to hacking and requires constant vigilance on the part of the user.

One of the most common ways a hacker gains access to your WhatsApp account is by sending you a message with a false link or requesting a verification code, often impersonating someone you know. The following are a couple of examples of what to look out for when identifying a fake WhatsApp message:

  • Requesting your help or asking for a quick favor, particularly one without much context or that is received out of the blue;
  • Requesting something urgently (i.e. a response through a link or through providing payment details);
  • Declaring that it is either confidential or privileged information that should not be shared with anyone else;
  • Requesting your registration code. Only someone trying to gain access to your account would ask for this code;
  • If you receive a random message with a verification code or pin number and someone asks you for this pin because it was “accidentally sent to you” instead of them. This is a very common method of spam that will come from an account that has been hacked.

What should you do if you receive a fake WhatsApp message impersonating someone you know?

1. Immediately inform the individual who is being impersonated so that they can follow the necessary measures to secure their account and inform others of the hacking;

2. Report the account through WhatsApp;

3. Block the account on WhatsApp;

4. Ensure you have enabled your two-step verification and provide a backup email in the event you forget your PIN. Never share this PIN or your registration code.

How can you tell if your account has been hacked? Keep an eye out for some of these peculiar events:

  • If you get a notification that someone has logged into your account on a new device;
  • Your account is displaying messages that you never sent;
  • Seeing new contacts that you do not recognize and did not add;
  • If you are receiving odd communications from WhatsApp “directly”;
  • Oddly enough, your battery life may have dropped significantly or your data usage may have skyrocketed for no reason;
  • You can also check to see if there are other users on your account by using the feature “Log out of all computers”, which will display which devices have access to your account. If you don’t recognize them, you have been hacked.

Now you know you have been hacked. What should you do next?

1. Notify your contacts that you have been hacked and not to open anything from or send anything to your number. Let them know that you have lost access to your account and that any other messages from you are likely from a hacker. This will prevent others from falling victim as well.

2. If you haven’t already, enable two-step verification with a PIN known only to you (and do not share this code to anyone). This will now require the hacker to input the same code to continue having access to your account.

3. Do not log out of your account. This could lock you out of your account indefinitely.

4. Disable WhatsApp web by selecting “Log out of all computers”.

This information can seem very overwhelming and in fact, quite scary. If you are looking for more ways to protect yourself and your loved ones online, contact Investigation Hotline for a private consultation with a professional and discrete private investigator. You don’t have to be in this alone. Trust the experts that are the most trusted and highly reviewed.