This week on The Safe Side, our ongoing series aimed to keep you safe online, we dive deep into WhatsApp hacking. We break down how scammers hack into WhatsApp, why they do it, warning signs to watch for, and, most importantly, how to protect yourself.

How WhatsApp accounts get hacked

According to Gautam Kumawat, professional hacker and founder of HackingFlix, WhatsApp hacking is a growing threat, and attackers use social engineering, technical exploits, and SIM-based attacks to hijack accounts.

Here are some common hacking methods:

OTP phishing: Scammers impersonate trusted contacts or WhatsApp support, tricking users into sharing their six-digit verification code.

SIM swapping: Attackers use a new SIM card for a victim’s number, allowing them to take over WhatsApp.

WhatsApp Web hijacking: If an attacker gains brief access to a victim’s phone, they can link the account to WhatsApp Web and maintain remote access.

Call merging scam: A scammer calls you, claiming they got your number from a mutual friend. They then ask you to merge the call with another number, supposedly the ‘friend’. Once merged, you unknowingly connect with an automated WhatsApp OTP verification call. The scammer hears the OTP and gains access to your account.

Source: The Indian Express