WhatsApp Messenger is a popular messaging app, it makes calling and instant messaging as well as audio and video communication easy to communicate with family, friends and loved ones. It can even replace face-to-face meetings. However, it happens when you find out that your private messenger is no longer personal because you have been hacked. In this article we will tell you how you can recover your hacked WhatsApp account.
Before we get into how to restore a hacked WhatsApp account, it's important to understand that there are two types of people in this situation. Those who did not enable two-factor authentication and, as a result, do not have the six-digit WhatsApp activation code. People in the second category put it up but then inadvertently disclosed it to scammers, only to discover later that their account had been hacked.
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Both kinds of users can utilizes the same procedures to restore a hacked WhatsApp account, but there is one caveat. Hackers will use all means at their disposal to obtain sensitive information, such as your WhatsApp activation code or an OTP sent to your cell phone number. If an OTP is provided to your device that you did not request for any reason, delete it immediately and do not tell it to anybody.
Due to end-to-end encryption, the fraudster will not be able to read previous WhatsApp conversations if they obtain access to your account from another device, but they will be able to start new conversations. Hackers may even go so far as to defraud your friends and acquaintances in your name, as well as gather important information when speaking with your contacts.
How can I recover access to a hacked WhatsApp account?
Follow these steps as soon as you come to know that someone else is accessing your WhatsApp account. This happens when your contacts start receiving WhatsApp messages from you that haven't been sent by you, or when you see your WhatsApp status updates and group postings that you haven't. This does not apply to phones that have been stolen or lost.
Maybe someone else is using your WhatsApp from the desktop or WhatsApp Web that you were connected to earlier. You'll need to undo this first to make sure you're not dealing with a hacker situation.
Step1: First of all, open WhatsApp, tap on the three vertical dots near the search box on the top right.
Step2: After that tap on the linked device Go to WhatsApp web Log out from each device.
Note: If you discover that there is no device link and you still have the same issue, proceed with the steps below to restore a hacked WhatsApp account.
Step1: Logout of WhatsApp Messenger and enter your phone number again.
Step2: A six-digit code will be sent to your phone number via SMS. Please enter the code here.
Step3: This quickly grants you access to your account while automatically logging out the hacker.
Step4: If you are requested to enter a two-step verification code even though you have not set one up, it means that the hacker using your account has enabled two-step verification. You'll have to wait another 7 days to login without the two-step verification code because you don't have it.
Step5: Remember how you logged out the hacker as soon as you entered the 6-digit SMS code? So don't be alarmed. The hacker is unable to communicate with your contacts and gain access to your WhatsApp account during this time.
Phone stolen or lost, How can I recover access to my WhatsApp account?
If your phone is lost or stolen, you will have to go through completely different steps to recover your WhatsApp account. Because you are unable to log in and in this case you do not have access to your SIM card.
Step:1 The first step is to inform everyone about the status including WhatsApp. People are more likely to engage in bogus discussions if they don't know that you no longer have control over your account.
Step2: Immediately after this you need to contact WhatsApp by email to support@whatsapp.com and describe the status in your email, you need to note "Please deactivate my account" in the subject and text body. Please ensure the mobile number associated with your whatsapp account.
Step3: Please send this email from the email address you used to register for two-factor authentication. You can use any of your email addresses if you did not set up two-factor verification before losing or having your phone stolen.
Note: Thieves will no longer be able to contact your contacts after successfully deactivating the account. You have 30 days to recover your account if you still want to access all of your stored conversations and data in the cloud. If you wait more than 30 days, you will lose access to all of your data.
How can I keep my WhatsApp Messenger account safe?
Because you never know what might go wrong, it's a good idea to enable two-step verification on your WhatsApp account and provide an email address in case you forget your PIN. If you have received an email requesting you to reset your 2-Step Verification PIN or registration code, but have not requested it, do not click the link. Someone may be trying to gain access to your phone number using WhatsApp.
If you received a WhatsApp verification code by SMS without having requested one, it means that someone is attempting to access your WhatsApp account on purpose or by accident. Immediately delete the message and do not share the code with anyone.
Step1: Be wary of calls requesting personal information or installation of specific applications.
Step2: Never share your PIN or code with anyone. As long as the person doesn't have access to your code, your WhatsApp account is safe.
Step3: Also enable whatsapp two step verification on your android phone with a device lock code and be careful who you give physical access to your phone as they can use whatsapp without your permission.
Thanks for reading till here the article ends, and we think this information will be of great use to you.