How To Logout From Hacked WhatsApp [Fixed Solution]

Thanks to our interconnected world, WhatsApp is now a popular platform for millions seeking to communicate with their friends seamlessly. However, every upside has its downside. The sad truth is that many people are constantly struggling to cope with their accounts being hacked, which results in privacy loss and the potential for abuse of personal data. If this scenario unfolded recently for you such that your account has been breached, the first thing you should do is, log out from the account whence the unauthorized access occurred. In this extensive guide, we will focus on the reasons behind the hacking of a WhatsApp account, narrate some realistic incidents to make the scenario palpable and most importantly provide the audience guidance in form of appropriate troubleshooting techniques so as to regain access to their account from where they have been usurped.

Tracing the Roots of the Problem: Reasons behind the hacking of your WhatsApp account

1. Phishing Attacks

Still, the most widespread method, through which people manage to break into personal accounts, is phishing. This scheme typically features fake emails or messages appearing to come from someone trusted, which coax the targets into disclosing personal data or clicking on harmful links. Just like a friend once mentioned how they received an email from WhatsApp requesting them to confirm their account. Little did they know that it was a cleverly crafted phishing scheme and they ended up giving their log in details to the fraudsters.

2. Malware and Spyware

The use of any malware or spyware that has been installed onto your device is another frequent reason for accounts getting hacked. These programs are usually used to steal personal information and transmit it to a third party. One of my colleagues encountered this problem when he installed the application from a dubious site. It was easy to install, however there was a hidden program that secreted the activities of this individual and also collected messages sent to him.

3. SIM Swapping

For most people, the thought of someone swapping your SIM card physically and in turn taking over your identity is difficult to resolve. SIM swapping is one of these more advanced techniques where the attackers request for your mobile service to change your number to a new SIM. Once they have possession of your telephone number, they can use it to receive the verification codes sent via SMS to be able to access your WhatsApp account. One of the family members went through this; they suddenly noticed that their cell phone did not work and shortly after, their WhatsApp account started sending messages to other contacts.

4. Shared Devices

In case you have, in the past, ever accessed your WhatsApp on a device that is not yours without logging out permanently or neglecting to change your password subsequently, then you could be in danger. Someone with access to the device can easily gain information under the standard practice of keeping it signed in on a shared device. I recall borrowing my friend’s phone for a quick hop on an app and forgetting to sign out. As it turned out, not only did I forget to log out, but I, too, was later puzzled why a friend sent me a message claiming that I had sent them an unsolicited link.

5. Weak Security Practices

Finally, passwords which are not strong enough and the absence of two-factor authentication (2FA) could make it easier for the adversaries to breach your account. Many individuals prefer to use weak passwords which are easy to remember and can be socially engineered to be recovered. A close acquaintance of mine used “123456” as his password all the time. After several weeks of getting prompted by WhatsApp, they changed it, but not before their account was briefly accessed without their consent.

Steps to Logout from Hacked WhatsApp

After it has become obvious that your WhatsApp has been hacked, the first thing that should follow is carefully examining the steps to be followed. Basically, below are the relevant steps that you can use to secure your account and log out of the unapproved access of their account.

Step 1: Log Out of WhatsApp Web

In case a WhatsApp account is being used on WhatsApp Web, it can be logged out without requiring access to that very computer.

Open WhatsApp on Your Phone: Open the application on your smartphone.

Go to Settings: Click on the three dots in the top right corner (for Android) or the bottom (for iPhones) where there is a “Settings” tab.

Select Linked Devices: From here, all active devices that belong to the WhatsApp account will be visible.

Log Out from All Devices: You will be presented with a list of attached devices. Select device one by one to log out. Also, for added security, select Log out from all devices to eliminate any chance of getting logged in unauthorized.

Step 2: Turn on Two-Step Verification

After signing out of any unauthorized devices, enabling two-step verification provides your account with additional level of protection.

Once Again, Go to Settings: WhatsApp again, go to Settings.

Click Account: Click ‘Account’ > ‘Two-step verification.’

Enable Verification: You are prompted to set a six-code PIN. An email address will also be requested for pin resetting purposes in the case you forget the pin.

Step 3: Reset your password and the recovery options associated with your account

Although WhatsApp confirms your identity through the mobile number linked to the app, it’s also important to apply the same procedures on the other accounts associated to the mobile number or email.

Change Your Mobile Phone Password: Change passwords to such accounts pretty much immediately, if that phone number is connected to any other online accounts, including Google account.

Update Recovery Options: Where applicable, update the recovery options ensuring that they do not use the same phone or email.

Step 4: Alert Your Contacts

There is a chance that your account was hacked; you need to apologize to those who are in your contacts’ list. Tell them they could have got weird messages and links from your account and that they ought to be careful and not click anything strange.

Step 5: Keep an Eye on Your Account Activities And Notify Someone

Your first step in account restoration is to wait for 2-3 weeks before revoking all permissions that you previously gave the application.

Reporting Unauthorized Activities: Any activities such as sending messages or adding contacts outside what was chosen by you should raise red flags.

Notify if Contacts you Didn’t Add Overview: Calling all groups that you were not a part of, and created teams, you have to do something about them if you spam them or create them.

Love and Logic: Nurturing the Fuhrer inside every kid

Because this is a serious problem, I will now dwell into an issue that is distressing to me personally. Some two years back, I received a rather disturbing text message from a so-called friend, stating that money had been transferred from their account using mine. It baffled me until I remembered that WhatsApp was hacked. I got nervous; my private communication was now exposed. I was able to log out of all devices and take measures to protect my account as described above. Yet, the moral of the story is that paranoia is the new normal in the 21st century.

 

1. Is it possible for someone to breach my WhatsApp account?

There is such a possibility. If for instance someone has your phone number or is logged into your account through WhatsApp Web, then indeed, that person can read your messages and see the contacts saved in your phone.

2. What can I do if I am unable to log into my account?

If you can’t log in, then try to recover your account using “Forgot Password”. If that too, does not help you, then please reach out to WhatsApp support to help you.

3. Why must two-step verification be enabled?

Absolutely yes, two-step verification ensures that your phone number is not the only thing required to log into your account which is a great advantage for account security.

4. How can I report an incident when someone hacks my account?

Sending out and receiving any messages that you did not send, being unable to gain access to your account, or being notified of login attempts made from unfamiliar locations are all signs of hacks.

5. Is it possible to access my account after someone has already hacked it?

For the most part yes, as explained above, most times, an account can be retrieved. However, swift action is of utmost importance.

Conclusion

All in all, the issue regarding the hacked accounts of WhatsApp is a pointer to the fact that digital safety should be exercised. Knowing the reasons, taking the appropriate actions to sign out of the account that has been hacked, and putting in tough safety measures such as the say, Two step verification process, it can be said that the chances are low that cyber risks will be experienced. All in all, the safety of yourselves online remains the most important issue. Being cautious and taking the right action can save your personal details and frustrations.

Do keep in mind, in case you get into this scenario, You are not the only one – there have been others who have dealt in this situation. Experiences and Lessons learned can be shared so as to help in creating a secure and privacy respecting environment in this ever expanding digital world.