Our communication channels are more essential than ever in the current digital era. WhatsApp is one of the most frequently used messaging programs for billions of people worldwide. But because of its popularity, hackers also find it to be a very attractive target. If your WhatsApp account is hacked, then there will be some serious privacy and security risks.

When hackers have access to your account, they can see your contacts, read your private messages, and possibly even access your important data. They can also send requests or messages to your contacts pretending to be you, which could result in fraud or miscommunication. Understanding the importance of the incident is essential to acting right away.

Signs pointing to a hacked WhatsApp account:

There are the following points from which we can recognize that our WhatsApp has been hacked.
You are getting texts from unknown numbers and contacts that you don’t recognize.
Changes have been made to your profile picture, status, or other data without your authorization or knowledge.

It is not possible for you to get into your account or use your phone number to log in.
Notifications are reaching you which indicates someone else has used your account.
To stop more illegal access to your account, it is essential to take action immediately if you see any of these warning signs.

Immediate steps to take if your WhatsApp is hacked:

It is essential to take quick action to recover control and safeguard your account to stop more harm. These are the first actions you should take if you think your WhatsApp account has been hacked. The first thing you should do if you think your WhatsApp account has been hacked is to log out of it on your phone.
Notify Your Contacts:
It is your first and foremost duty to tell your friends, family, and coworkers that your WhatsApp account has been hacked. This is important because the hacker can use your account to spread misleading information, send fake messages, or make money requests. You can assist your contacts in avoiding becoming victims of scams by keeping them informed.

Verify your Account:
Log out from all devices and enter your phone number in WhatsApp to re-verify your account. A verification pin will be sent through massage. If you do not receive it, you can request a call to get the verification code. The verification of your account helps you to protect it from illegal access and confirms that you are the rightful owner.
On the other hand, you can also activate two-step verification on your WhatsApp account. Go to the Settings and enter a six-digit PIN. This provides another level of protection because another form of authentication is required. Two-step verification requires more than simply the verification code for authentication. It greatly improves account security.

 Logging out of WhatsApp on all devices:

You need to log out of all linked devices to secure your WhatsApp account. Open WhatsApp and go to the Settings. Tap on Linked Devices, and then log out from all devices to ensure only you have access.
On the other hand, if you are using the WhatsApp Web or Desktop application, you must log out from there too.

To log out of a WhatsApp Web or Desktop application, click on the three dots menu at the top of the chat list. Select log out to disconnect the device. It is an important step to ensure secure account management and termination of unauthorized sessions.

Contacting WhatsApp Support:

If you follow the following instructions and are still unable to get back into control of your account, then it is recommended that you get in touch with WhatsApp support. Using the app or their website, connect to the WhatsApp Help Center. You may find possibilities for account recovery, then follow the guidelines.

You may recover your account by using the many tools and instructions available in the Help Center.
If the Help Center doesn’t resolve your issue, then send an email to WhatsApp support at support@whatsapp.com. In an email, write your problem, phone number, and steps taken, to help the support team understand your situation.

Preventive measures for the future security:

One of the most beneficial ways to keep your accounts safe is to use strong and rare passwords. Don’t use facts that can be guessed at, like birthdays or well-known phrases. You have to make complicated passwords instead, combining special characters, numbers, and letters. The use of strong passwords makes it far more difficult for hackers to access your accounts.

Secondly, you must update the operating system and apps on your phone regularly to protect your device against security issues. These solutions for widely recognized safety issues that hackers could exploit are frequently included in these upgrades. Make sure that you are constantly using the most recent versions of your software. It will continuously prevent emerging shortcomings and enable automatic updates.