Kaspersky shares guidelines to prevent WhatsApp account hacks

LAHORE: A user’s messaging app account can be a target for cybercriminals, as stolen WhatsApp accounts are often exploited for various criminal activities, ranging from spam distribution to sophisticated financial fraud schemes. Hackers continuously seek ways to gain access to WhatsApp accounts using different methods.

According to Kaspersky, cybercriminals typically take control of a WhatsApp account in two ways: either by linking another device to the account using the ‘Linked Devices’ feature or by re-registering the account on their own device, as if the user had switched to a new phone.

In the first scenario, the user can continue using WhatsApp as usual, but criminals gain access to all recent conversations. In the second case, the user loses access to their account entirely. When attempting to log in, WhatsApp notifies them that the account is already in use on another device, allowing attackers to control the account, though they cannot access past conversations.

Hafeez Aziz, a technology expert at Kaspersky in Pakistan, highlighted the risks associated with instant messaging apps: “Messaging apps often contain personal and work-related information, including confidential data. If you notice unusual activity -- such as receiving replies to messages you never sent -- or if friends report receiving suspicious messages from your account, it is crucial to act immediately to protect your privacy.”

He advised users to log out of all other devices except their primary phone and inform friends and family -- through a call, a WhatsApp status update or social media -- to warn them not to trust messages from the compromised account or send money.

Aziz further emphasised that security measures in WhatsApp alone may not be sufficient if a user’s smartphone or computer is infected with malware. Therefore, he recommended installing comprehensive cybersecurity protection on all devices to safeguard against such threats.