What to Do If Your WhatsApp Account Is Hacked
News Desk
Islamabad: Losing access to a WhatsApp account or discovering that someone else has taken control of it can be alarming, particularly when the account contains personal conversations, contacts and sensitive information. However, users can take immediate steps to recover their accounts and limit the risk of further unauthorized use.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public advisory explaining what users should do if their WhatsApp account is hacked or accessed by an unauthorized person. The authority has also released a video outlining the recovery process to help users respond quickly.
The first step is to uninstall WhatsApp from the mobile phone and reinstall the application. Once reinstalled, users should begin the login or registration process using the same mobile number previously associated with the account.
WhatsApp will then send a verification code to that number. Entering the code in the application allows the user to re-verify the account and regain control.
If another person has taken control of the WhatsApp account, completing the verification process with the registered mobile number can effectively restore access to the original user.
Turn on Two-Step Verification
Recovering the account is only the first step. Users should immediately strengthen their security by enabling WhatsApp’s ‘Two-Step Verification’ feature.
The additional security layer helps protect the account from unauthorized attempts to take control of it in the future.
If the account cannot be recovered through re-verification, or unauthorized access continues, users should contact ‘WhatsApp Support’ for further assistance.
Never Share Your Verification Code
The PTA has also urged users to remain cautious about common tactics used to hijack WhatsApp accounts.
One of the most important rules is ‘never share the WhatsApp verification code with anyone’. Fraudsters may pretend to be friends, relatives or representatives of an organization and ask users to provide the code they have received.
Sharing the code can allow another person to gain access to the account.
Beware of Suspicious Links and Files
Users should also avoid clicking suspicious links or opening unknown files and unexpected messages received through WhatsApp.
Cybercriminals frequently use phishing techniques in which malicious links are disguised as messages from legitimate websites, companies or services. Clicking such links can expose personal information or provide attackers with an opportunity to compromise an account.
Protect Your Digital Accounts
As WhatsApp and other online services increasingly become part of everyday communication, protecting digital accounts has become essential.
Users should keep their phones and applications updated with the latest security updates, avoid installing suspicious applications and regularly check their devices for potential security threats.
Most importantly, acting quickly after losing access to an account can help reduce the chances of unauthorized use and protect personal information from further compromise.
