Step-by-step: What to do if your WhatsApp account is hacked

Losing access to your WhatsApp account can be a stressful experience, given the personal conversations, confidential data, photos, and contacts stored within. If your account has been hacked, the immediate priority is to remain calm and act decisively to recover it and bolster security.

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If your account was hacked, the first thing you should do is notify your contacts through other means, so they don't keep sending you messages and don't fall for scams or fraud.

After a hack or theft, the first step is to notify your contacts through other communication channels. This prevents them from sending messages to a compromised account and falling victim to scams or fraud. Next, follow the recovery steps recommended by Meta's Help Center. This involves accessing WhatsApp Web, selecting 'Log in again,' and then 'Continue.' You'll need to enter your phone number, including the country code. A 6-digit code, sent via text message or phone call, must then be entered on the page. This action will automatically log out your account from all devices.

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If the page asks you for a PIN, it means the person who entered your account activated 'two-step verification.' In this case, you should contact WhatsApp Help Center.

If the page prompts for a PIN, it indicates that the hacker activated the 'two-step verification.' In such cases, you must contact WhatsApp's Help Center directly. Once you regain access, it's crucial to review linked devices and log out any unrecognized ones. For future prevention, report the issue through the Help Center; Meta may suspend users who violate their terms of service.

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To reinforce security on your WhatsApp, it is ideal to activate 'two-step verification.'

To further enhance security, WhatsApp strongly recommends enabling 'two-step verification.' This is done through the app's settings, under the 'Account' section. Follow the prompts to set up a 6-digit PIN. Remember never to share verification codes received via SMS or download files from suspicious links. Acting swiftly is vital to prevent cybercriminals from accessing your information, making robust profile security essential.

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Remember never to share the verification codes you receive by SMS or download files or applications from shared links.