Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – WhatsApp is the most used messaging application in the world today with more than 2 billion users. In Indonesia alone, it is estimated that there are 68.8 million WhatsApp users.
The high number of WhatsApp users makes this application belonging to Meta the target of malicious hackers. One of the crimes that criminals often commit is wiretapping WhatsApp to monitor conversations, stalking and much more.
One way to tap WhatsApp is to send a malicious malware virus to the account that is being targeted. This malware infiltrates unnoticed by the victim.
To find out WhatsApp has been tapped, here are the characteristics that you can detect on your smartphone, as quoted from the Cyber Police website, Friday (14/1/2022):
1. User account suddenly logged out of the app
The use of WhatsApp can only be done with the same mobile number on one smartphone. When your WhatsApp account exits by itself, it means that someone else is using a WhatsApp account with the same mobile number on another smartphone.
2. Message has been read
When your message is unread and suddenly it has a blue tick alias read, there is a high possibility that your WhatsApp account has been hijacked and bugged.
3. A message was sent to a certain contact without the user’s knowledge
If you feel that you have never sent a message to the person in question, then it is suspect that someone has hacked your WhatsApp account.
4. Whatsapp web is suddenly active
How to check whether someone else is using your WhatsApp account or not, click the three-dot icon at the top right of the WhatsApp application display then select WhatsApp Web mode. There you will see the application whether your WhatsApp is connected.
5. There is an OTP shipment
WhatsApp will send a one time password (OTP) to users via SMS if another party wants to install the victim’s account on another smartphone. If you find this, do not give the six-digit number to anyone because when it is given, your WhatsApp account will be taken over.
How to prevent WhatsApp from being bugged
WhatsApp tapping actions can be prevented in various ways that have been provided by the developer, and are recommended by security forces. One of them, WhatsApp users can activate the two-step verification feature to make it difficult for bad people who want to hijack or tap your WhatsApp.
The following are ways to overcome tapping on WhatsApp accounts:
1. Two-Factor Verification
This feature can be activated by WhatsApp users by going to the settings menu – account settings – and selecting the two-factor authentication option. After that, WhatsApp will ask for activation using a PIN. Users must enter a six-digit PIN and email address that is integrated with the WhatsApp account.
2. Use the Fingerprint Scan Feature
This feature requires users to scan their fingerprints every time they open a WhatsApp account. Through this feature, bad people can’t tap accounts if they don’t have the user’s fingerprint.
How to activate it, users can enter the Settings menu > Account > Privacy > fingerprint lock.
3. Sign Out of Unknown Devices
Devices connected to a WhatsApp account can be viewed through the settings menu or settings. After that, users just need to select the WhatsApp Web option, and see a list of connected devices. After knowing the list of devices, users can remove WhatsApp access from devices that are not recognized or are not in use.
(roy/roy)
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