Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has issued a nationwide alert after a sharp rise in WhatsApp account hijacking incidents. Recently, cyber criminals have begun targeting users across all demographics. As a result, the threat has become a serious national cyber security concern.
Notably, attackers are not exploiting technical weaknesses in WhatsApp. Instead, they rely on social engineering techniques. In other words, hackers manipulate users into handing over access themselves, which makes awareness the most effective defense.
How Hackers Take Over WhatsApp Accounts
Primarily, cyber criminals use psychological tactics to deceive users. For example, National CERT reports that attackers often:
- Trick users into sharing one-time passcodes (OTPs)
- Send phishing links disguised as urgent alerts
- Circulate malicious QR codes to link accounts to their own devices
- Manipulate call-forwarding settings to intercept verification codes
Once access is gained, attackers immediately take control of the account. Consequently, they impersonate victims, scam contacts, steal private data, and spread harmful content.
Who Faces the Highest Risk?
Importantly, hackers target all versions of WhatsApp. These include:
- Android and iOS versions
- WhatsApp Business
- WhatsApp Web and Desktop
Furthermore, users who do not enable two-step verification face the highest risk. Because of this, National CERT has classified the threat level as high due to the widespread nature of these attacks.
Consequences of WhatsApp Account Hijacking
Unfortunately, account hijacking can cause serious damage. In many cases, victims experience:
- Identity theft
- Financial fraud
- Exposure of private conversations
- Reputational damage
- Privacy violations
Moreover, organizations also face risks when employees use WhatsApp for business communication. As a result, a single compromised account can expose sensitive corporate data.
How to Secure Your WhatsApp Account
To reduce risk, National CERT urges users to take immediate protective measures:
- Enable two-step verification and add a recovery email
- Never share OTPs or PIN codes with anyone
- Regularly review linked devices
- Avoid clicking links from unknown or suspicious messages
- Treat urgent requests for money or codes with caution
By following these steps, users can significantly lower the chances of account takeover.
Steps to Recover a Compromised Account
If your account becomes compromised, act quickly:
- First, reinstall WhatsApp
- Next, verify your phone number again
- Then, reset all security settings
- Meanwhile, inform your contacts immediately
- Finally, report the incident to WhatsApp
However, if attackers enable two-step verification without a recovery email, WhatsApp may enforce a seven-day lockout before restoring access.
Stay Alert Against Cyber Scams
Ultimately, National CERT urges the public to remain vigilant as cyber criminals continue to evolve their tactics. Therefore, strong awareness and proactive security habits remain the best protection against WhatsApp-related cyber threats.
In conclusion, safeguarding your digital identity starts with informed decisions and responsible online behavior.
