If WhatsApp is Hacked
WhatsApp is a popular messaging app and billions of users use it worldwide. Unfortunately in some privacy and identity theft incidents whatsapp has been detected as a tool. This hacking of user data is raising a lot of concerns for other users. They are scared that what will happen if whatsapp is hacked.
instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, facebook messenger, imo, e.t.c have become essential applications that we wish to have on our smartphones. We share everything like casual message to sensitive and confidential information with friends, family, colleagues, subscribers and followers. We don’t consider that our privacy of these messages, images, videos etc will be compromised if whatsapp is hacked. Now let’s look into that what will happen if whatsapp is hacked and how can we protect ourselves.
What to do if WhatsApp is Hacked?
WhatsApp hacking means unauthorized exposure of private messages, photos, videos, or other data from the WhatsApp platform. These leaks may occur because of a number of types of cybercrimes like hacking, phishing, social engineering. Other than cybercrime whatsapp hack may happen because of vulnerabilities within whatsapp itself. If whatsapps is hacked then the consequences can be serious. These can be long lasting, effecting one’s privacy, finances, and overall security of the infrastructure.
Biggest Events of Whatsapp Hack:
If whatsapp is hacked dont consider that only your account has been compromised. Millions of other users will also be effected by the same vulnerability in the application. Historically there have been two main incidents of whatsapp hack which were reported:
- 2022: Using a vulnerability in whatsapp application a limited number of user phone numbers were stolen.
- November 2023: Although WhatsApp denies it but allegedly nearly 500 million user phone numbers were offered for sale online. Some experts believe that this data could be misused for spam or scams.
What are Causes If WhatsApp is Hacked?
Most of the time I have experienced that if whatsapp is hacked there are few common types of cyberattacks. Below I will try to elaborate that how each of them may be considered relevant if whatsapp is hacked:
Hacking:
As I always mention that hacking is mother of cybercrimes. Therefore I would say that as number one option cybercriminals will exploit weaknesses in WhatsApp or the user’s device to gain access to it. To achieve their target they might use some malware or spyware attack to monitor the routine activities of their target and then steal its information for their malicious purposes.
Phishing:
Phishing is another very common technique used to trick users so that they give away their personal credentials and verification codes. To achieve this goal cybercriminal may use fake messages and websites (that look legitimate) to deceive their target user.
Scamming:
For whatsapp hacking cybercriminal may also use scamming to manipulate individuals. This will result into revealing sensitive information or granting access to their accounts because at that point the perpetrator will be posing as a trusted entity.
Lost or Stolen Devices:
On the basis of my experience I always recommend that all of your devices must be protected using all possible measures. But just consider that your phone is lost or stolen and it has no password or any other security to unlock the phone, then anyone who gains its possession can access your WhatsApp messages. Once he gains access to your phone then your information and privacy will be at his will.
Vulnerabilities of Cloud Backup:
There are a lot of users who prefer to backup their whatsapp data on cloud like Google Drive or iCloud. Mind you that these clouds are always number one targets of cybercriminals and they keep on attacking them using different methods. If the cloud account is somehow compromised then the whole data stored there is readily available to the attacker and he may use it as per his wish.
What Will Happen if WhatsApp is Hacked?
If whatsApp is hacked, it may have far reaching effects on daily life of the victim. Below I will mention some of the most common consequences of a whatsapp hack:
Privacy Breach:
Any social media account contains almost all of our personal information, personal conversations with friends and family and sometimes some secret discussions. In case of whatsapp hack your personal conversations and media files will be exposed to the perpetrator may lead to a serious invasion of privacy.
Financial Risks:
Most of the business users use whatsapp to share their bank details and passwords through whatsapp. In case the whatsapp is hacked using any of the technique mentioned above, all the sensitive information like bank details and passwords can be misused for fraud and identity theft.
Reputation Damage if Whatsapp is Hacked:
Often we share our private pictures and videos with our friends and family through whatsapp. But in case of whatsapp hack it can tarnish the reputation of individual or business, especially if the information is sensitive or embarrassing.
Security Threats:
Whatsapp hack is not confined to the theft or leakage of the information stored in that particular device. The leaked data is also very useful for the perpetrator to launch further attacks and exploit additional vulnerabilities without any knowledge of the victim.
How to Protect & Safeguard if WhatsApp is Hacked:
Unlike a lot of other types of cybercrimes, fortunately, there are several steps we can take to safeguard our WhatsApp data:
Enable Two-Step Verification:
As I always mention that nothing is 100% secure when you share or post online. Therefore, we must ensure that we ensure maximum security measures which are available. In this regard two step verification is considered an additional security layer when it comes to password protection. This will add an extra layer of security by requiring a PIN in addition to your regular verification code or password.
Use Strong and Unique Passwords:
When two step verification is not available then password is the only protection available to secure our account. In that case we should ensure that all accounts associated with our WhatsApp, such as email and cloud storage, have strong and unique passwords.
Be Cautious about Suspicious Links and Messages:
To avoid whatsapp hack, consider it a rule of thumb that not to click on any unknown link and not to download files which are from anonymous sources.
Keep Your Software Updated:
Cyberattacks are like rat and mouse game. Attackers continue to exploit vulnerabilities and companies keep on updating their applications. Similarly researchers and developers of WhatsApp and our phone operating system are always active to plug the loopholes. Therefore, I would recommend to always keep operating system and applications updated to ensure that we have latest patches to protect us against the latest threats.
Avoid Cloud Backups:
If you’re particularly concerned about security then consider turning off cloud backups in WhatsApp settings.
Monitor Active Sessions:
Since whatsapp is also useable through web browser which you can control through your mobile device. I would recommend to periodically monitor any active WhatsApp Web sessions from the app’s settings and log out of it immediately when you are not using it.
Stay Informed if WhatsApp is Hacked:
Since all the phones which have whatsapp installed in them have internet access. I recommend to subscribe to groups and websites who keep you updated about latest threats of whatsapp hack. This will enable you to stay well informed about the modus operandi and stay safe online.
Where to Report if Whatsapp is Hacked?
If you notice that your whatsapp is hacked, you should immediately report to concerned authorities. Your effort must be to first disable the account so that it cannot be misused. Afterwards you should restore your account on your new device and recover data. In this regard you can click here to get step by step instructions that how can you recover your whatsapp account and date.
Conclusion:
Whatsapp hack is a serious threat to all the users but by taking above mentioned precautions, we can reduce the risk of WhatsApp hack and protect our personal information and data. Although WhatsApp is constantly researching to improve its security but by staying informed and taking precautionary measure we can minimize the risks of being a victim of whatsapp hack. I would reiterate that staying vigilant and well informed is a key to maintain our digital privacy and security.
