Discovering that your WhatsApp account has been hacked can be a distressing experience. It not only compromises your personal conversations and sensitive information but also poses a risk to your contacts. Fortunately, WhatsApp provides several measures to help you regain control of your account and secure it from future unauthorized access.
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In this article, we will walk you through the necessary steps to recover a hacked WhatsApp account on Android. Whether your account has been compromised due to a phishing attack, weak password, or any other security breach, these methods will assist you in regaining access and restoring the security of your account.
Part 1. How can I Recover a Hacked WhatsApp Account?
Take these steps as soon as you discover that someone other than you is using your WhatsApp account. This happens when your contacts start receiving WhatsApp messages from you that you did not send, you see status updates and posts in WhatsApp groups that you did not create. This does not apply to cases of stolen or lost phones.
It is possible that someone else might be using your decide from a desktop or WhatsApp Web that you had earlier connected to. You have to undo this first to be sure you are not dealing with a case of hackers.
- Open your WhatsApp > Tap the three vertical dots at the top right beside the search bar > Tap on WhatsApp web > Log out of all devices
If you find out that no device is linked and you still continue to experience same thing, then follow the steps below to recover a hacked WhatsApp account.
- Log out of your WhatsApp messenger and login again using your phone number
- A six-digit code will be sent to your phone number via sms. Enter the code.
- This logs you into your account immediately, and automatically logs out the hacker.
- If you are asked to provide a two-step verification code, even though you did not set up one, it means the individual using your account must have activated a two-step verification code. Since you do not have the code, it means you have to wait 7 days again before you can sign in without the two-step verification code.
- Remember that the hacker had been logged out immediately you were logged in with the 6-digit SMS code? So no worries. The hacker cannot continue any chat with your contacts and they cannot even get access to your WhatsApp account during this period.
Part 2. Phone Lost or Stolen, How do I Recover WhatsApp Account?
If your phone gets missing, recovering your WhatsApp account takes completely different steps. In this case, you do not have access to your sim card and so cannot just log in.
- The first thing you should do is to inform everyone including WhatsApp. If people are aware that you no longer have control over your account, they will be prepared for any fraudulent chats.
- Now, you should send a mail to Whatsapp at support@whatsapp.com. You can state the details of the incident to the mail, but make sure you add “Lost/Stolen: Please deactivate my account” in the subject and text body and also provide the mobile number registered with the WhatsApp account.
- Please ensure that you are sending this mail from the email address registered in your two-factor authentication process. If you did not do the two-factor authentication before your phone got lost or was stolen, then you can use any of your email addresses.
Once the account has been successfully deactivated, the thieves will no longer be able to use it to chat with your contacts. Now you have 30 days to recover your account if you still want to be able to access all your saved chats and media backed up in the cloud. It you delay this beyond 30 days, you will lose access to all that data.
Part 3. How do I Secure my WhatsApp Messenger Account?
WhatsApp Messenger has become an indispensable part of our daily communication, allowing us to connect with friends, family, and colleagues effortlessly. As the popularity of the platform continues to grow, it is essential to prioritize the security and privacy of your WhatsApp account. By following a few simple steps, you can strengthen the security of your account and minimize the risk of unauthorized access. Here are some effective measures to secure your WhatsApp Messenger account:
- Enable Two-Step Verification: Two-step verification adds an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account. It requires you to set up a six-digit PIN that will be prompted whenever you register your phone number with WhatsApp. To enable two-step verification, go to WhatsApp settings, select "Account," then "Two-step verification," and follow the instructions to set up your unique PIN. Remember to choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
- Keep WhatsApp Updated:
Regularly updating your WhatsApp Messenger app ensures that you have the latest security patches and bug fixes. Developers continuously work to address vulnerabilities, and by updating your app, you benefit from these improvements. Enable automatic updates on your device or manually check for updates in your app store to ensure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp. - Be Cautious with Links and Downloads:
Exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading files shared through WhatsApp, especially if they come from unknown sources or seem suspicious. Malicious links and downloads can compromise your account's security or infect your device with malware. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and only download files from trusted sources. - Protect Your Phone with a Strong Password:
Ensure that your Android device has a strong and unique password or PIN to prevent unauthorized physical access. This adds an extra layer of security and protects your WhatsApp account from being compromised if your phone falls into the wrong hands. - Be Mindful of WhatsApp Web:
If you use WhatsApp Web to access your account on a computer, make sure to log out after each session, especially if you are using a shared or public computer. Additionally, regularly review the active WhatsApp Web sessions in your account settings and terminate any sessions you don't recognize or no longer use. - Control Your Privacy Settings:
WhatsApp provides various privacy options to control who can see your profile information, status updates, and last seen timestamps. Navigate to the "Privacy" section in your WhatsApp settings and adjust these settings according to your preferences. Restricting access to your information enhances your account's privacy and security. - Use Biometric Locks:
Many Android devices offer biometric authentication options, such as fingerprint or face recognition. Enable these features to add an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account. This ensures that only you can access your WhatsApp Messenger app.
By implementing these security measures, you can significantly enhance the protection of your WhatsApp Messenger account. Remember, being proactive and vigilant about your account's security is essential in today's digital landscape.
