Have you been noticing strange things occurring on WhatsApp? It might be a sign that someone is spying on you by reading your messages. Here are the signs to look out for to know… and to react promptly!
Your phone, an easy target
With over two billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is regularly the target of hackers looking to steal personal data and accounts. The instant messaging app is, however, known for its high level of security. It uses end-to-end encryption – preventing anyone from seeing the content of messages, with only the senders and recipients able to read them – and continuously introduces new features to ensure the privacy of conversations.
Yet, this doesn’t stop it from being the target of increasingly numerous and sophisticated cyber-attacks. For example, the so-called “six-digit text” scam, where a “friend” contacts the victim to pass on the code they just received. This procedure is devastating and allows cybercriminals to seize your account.
Thus, WhatsApp is not immune to spying attempts, and it is possible for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access, allowing them to read your messages, see your contacts, photos, videos, etc. They can spy on you using the enhanced multi-device mode, which allows using one account on multiple smartphones simultaneously, or by connecting to the web version of the app. But it’s also entirely possible that they have installed malicious software directly on your smartphone, secretly recording all your activities. Thankfully, to confirm this, there are some undeniable signs.
How to Know?
You have several ways to determine whether your WhatsApp account is being spied on. Firstly, if you notice unusual changes, like your profile picture changing or the presence of a message you did not send to your contacts, it’s a bad sign, and someone might be impersonating you. The same is true if you receive strange or unexpected messages. Performance lags in the app should also not be taken lightly. If WhatsApp is noticeably less responsive than usual while other apps are working normally, it may indicate the presence of malicious software. Similarly, if you are often logged out of your WhatsApp account on your smartphone, it might be a sign that someone else is logging in from another device.
The first thing to do is to check the devices connected to your account to ensure all connections are legitimately yours. To check if it has been compromised, go to the WhatsApp application menu, press “Linked Devices” and check the list. If you notice unknown devices, it may indicate a breach. In this case, select the concerned devices and log out.
Next, back up your important data, such as photos and videos, and delete the app from your device. Reinstall it from a reliable source, like the Play Store or the App Store. Be cautious and only download the official app, not a third-party one, even if it offers additional features! We also recommend enabling two-step verification by going to security settings, then “Account.” You can also activate security notifications, which will inform you if the security code to access a conversation has changed. If this code changes and none of the conversation participants have changed devices, a third party may have gained access. By staying vigilant and taking the appropriate measures, one can protect their WhatsApp account and reduce the risks of unauthorized access.
