WhatsApp Web Tapped? These are the signs and how to stop it

Signs that WhatsApp Web is being tapped and how to overcome it

WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging applications in the world. However, its popularity has also made it a target for cybercriminals. One form of digital crime that often occurs is tapping WhatsApp Web. Most users are unaware that their accounts are being accessed by third parties.

Some signs you can look for include:

• You receive a reply to a message you never sent. These messages appear to come from you, even though you never sent them.
• Friends are complaining about strange messages coming from your account. They may receive suspicious or unusual messages.
• You see deleted messages in chat, even though you never deleted anything. This could mean someone else controls your account.
• You received a WhatsApp login verification code that you didn’t ask for or expect. This indicates an illegal access attempt to your account.
• Your account has statuses or stories that you did not create yourself.
• Your profile picture, name, or account description changes unexpectedly.
• You were added to a chat or group you were never part of.

How Can Thieves Hijack WhatsApp Accounts?

There are several methods used by eavesdroppers to access your WhatsApp account:

1. Adding Other Devices Via the “Linked Devices” Feature
   
   With this feature, perpetrators can access your account without disrupting your activities. So, you may not be aware of access from other devices.

2. Re-Registering an Account on Their Own Device
   
   This method will make you lose access to your WhatsApp account. When you try to log in, you will receive a notification that the account is active on another device.

What to Do If WhatsApp Account Gets Hacked?

If you suspect your WhatsApp account has been hacked, here are the steps you can take:

1. Make sure the SIM card connected to WhatsApp is in your cellphone.
2. Open WhatsApp on your cellphone. If the application can be opened normally, try going to the settings menu > linked devices.
3. Check the list of devices listed and log out of devices you don’t recognize by tapping log out.
4. If WhatsApp notifies you that you need to re-register, enter your phone number. Request a verification code via SMS or voice call.
5. Enter the code to log in again. If using two-step verification, also enter your pin.
6. If the two-step verification pin was changed by the perpetrator, you can reset it. The way to do this is by resetting the pin via email if you have linked your email to your account.
7. If you haven’t linked your email, you’ll have to wait a week before you can access your account again.

Tips for Protecting WhatsApp Accounts from Piracy

To prevent WhatsApp account hijacking, you can take the following steps:

• Never share your verification code or two-step verification pin with anyone.
• Enable two-step verification and link an email address in case you forget your pin.
• Use a voicemail password that is hard to guess to prevent unauthorized access to voicemail.
• Routinely check linked devices via the WhatsApp settings menu > linked devices and log out of suspicious devices.
• Secure your cellphone with a PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or other security feature so that it is not easily accessed by others.
• Activate WhatsApp lock using Touch ID or Face ID (for iPhone) or fingerprint (for Android) in the settings menu > account > privacy > screen lock.
• Don’t click on suspicious links or emails claiming to be from WhatsApp if you haven’t asked for them.

By watching for signs of eavesdropping and taking preventative steps, you can keep your WhatsApp account secure and private. Always be alert and don’t hesitate to take immediate action if you find anything suspicious.