WhatsApp Hack: Threats and Protection Strategies

With over 2 billion users globally, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms for both personal chats and business communication. Unfortunately, this popularity also makes it a major target for cybercriminals. From account takeovers to spyware, attackers use a range of methods for hacking WhatsApp and gaining unauthorized access to user data.

In this post, we’ll explore the most common WhatsApp hacks, how attackers compromise accounts, and the best practices you can follow to protect yourself. Whether you’re looking to stay informed or secure your own account, this guide is essential reading.

How Hackers Exploit WhatsApp Vulnerabilities

Cybercriminals are constantly developing new ways of hacking WhatsApp by taking advantage of known and emerging WhatsApp vulnerabilities. These tactics allow them to manipulate user behavior and gain unauthorized access to personal accounts. Some of the most common WhatsApp hacks used to hack WhatsApp accounts include:

Social Engineering Attacks

• Impersonation Scams: Cybercriminals pose as trusted contacts or organizations to trick users into revealing sensitive information. For example, a hacker may pretend to be a friend in distress, asking for financial help or personal details.
• Verification Code Scams: Attackers send deceptive messages, pretending to be from WhatsApp support or a known contact, requesting the victim's six-digit verification code. Once obtained, this allows them to take over the account.

Call Forwarding Exploits

Hackers manipulate call forwarding settings by tricking users into dialing specific codes. This reroutes calls to the attacker’s number, enabling them to intercept verification calls and gain control of the WhatsApp account.

Malware and Spyware Infiltration

Malicious software is often made to look like legitimate apps or links. Once installed on a device, it can monitor WhatsApp messages, contacts, and activities. Hackers distribute such malware through phishing links, fake updates, or unofficial app stores, compromising user privacy.

What Are the WhatsApp Hacking Techniques in 2025?

Hackers use various advanced methods to gain unauthorized access to WhatsApp accounts, often exploiting user behavior and technical vulnerabilities. Some of the most common techniques include:

• QR Phishing (Quishing): Attackers use QR codes containing malicious URLs to trick users into visiting compromised websites.
• SIM Swapping: Cybercriminals impersonate users to convince telecom providers to issue a new SIM card, allowing them to gain access to WhatsApp accounts.

• Session Hijacking: Exploiting unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, attackers intercept WhatsApp Web sessions to gain access to active accounts.
• Keylogging: Using spyware to record keystrokes, attackers can capture sensitive information, including WhatsApp credentials.
• Spyware Infections: Spyware, often hidden in seemingly harmless apps or WhatsApp clones, can access contacts, chats, microphone, and even camera data. Advanced spyware can be deployed remotely and may not require any user interaction to activate.

Security Checklist: How to Secure Your WhatsApp from Being Hacked

Protecting your WhatsApp account requires more than just installing the app. Use this step-by-step checklist to defend against account takeovers, data theft, and surveillance:

• Enable Two-Step Verification (Step Verification): Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification and set a unique 6-digit PIN. This adds an essential layer of protection beyond the SMS verification code.
• Never Share Verification Codes: Your 6-digit code is the key to your account. Even if someone claims to be WhatsApp support or a friend, never share it — not by message, call, or email.
• Monitor Linked Devices: Regularly review Settings > Linked Devices to see which devices have access. If you spot anything unfamiliar, log it out immediately.
• Lock WhatsApp with Biometrics: Enable Face ID or fingerprint unlock to prevent physical access to your chats, even if your phone is unlocked.
• Download Only from Official App Stores: Avoid third-party or modified WhatsApp versions (like “GB WhatsApp”) — they’re a common source of spyware and malware infections.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi for WhatsApp Web: Never use WhatsApp Web on unsecured public Wi-Fi. If needed, use a trusted VPN to encrypt your session.
• Turn On Encrypted Backups: In Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-end Encrypted Backup, enable backup encryption and set a strong password. This protects your chat history in case your Google Drive or iCloud is compromised.
• Enable Security Notifications: Activate Security Notifications to be alerted if a contact’s encryption key changes - a possible sign of compromise.
• Be Wary of Unknown Links and Attachments: Don’t click on links or download files from unknown numbers, even if they appear to be job offers, giveaways, or urgent alerts.
• Stay Alert for Unusual Activity: Signs of hacking include missing messages, rapid battery drain, strange behavior on WhatsApp Web, or messages you didn’t send. If you notice these, take immediate action.

WhatsApp for Business: A New Frontier for Hackers

With the growing adoption of WhatsApp for business communication, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting business accounts for financial fraud and reputation attacks. These accounts are especially attractive due to their verified status, brand recognition, and direct access to clients and employees.

Common threats include:

• Fake Invoices: Hackers who gain control of a business number send fraudulent payment requests or invoices to customers, often using real branding to avoid suspicion.
• Executive Impersonation Using AI Voice Cloning: Attackers use deepfake audio to mimic the voices of company leaders. Posing as the CEO or CFO, they request urgent wire transfers or sensitive data through WhatsApp messages or voice notes.
• Brand Reputation Damage: Compromised accounts may be used to send spam, scams, or explicit content to clients or group chats, severely undermining customer trust.
• Social Engineering of Employees: Scammers target employees directly via WhatsApp, posing as internal departments (e.g., IT or HR) to steal credentials or gain internal access.

To protect business accounts from these threats:

• Enable two-step verification on all WhatsApp Business accounts
• Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control employee devices
• Provide regular cybersecurity awareness training focused on phishing, social engineering, and mobile threats

How to Secure Your WhatsApp from Being Hacked

Protecting your WhatsApp account requires proactive security measures. Follow these key steps to stay safe:

• Enable Two-Step Verification: Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification and set up a PIN to add extra protection.
• Avoid Sharing Verification Codes: Never share your WhatsApp verification code or personal details, even if the request appears legitimate.
• Check Linked Devices Regularly: Go to Settings > Linked Devices and log out any unfamiliar or suspicious devices.
• Keep Your App Updated: Always use the latest version of WhatsApp to get the newest security patches.
• Download Only from Official Sources: Install WhatsApp only from official app stores to avoid fake, malware-infected versions.

Read our guide to learn how WhatsApp is hacked in 2025.

What Are WhatsApp’s Built-In Privacy and Security Features?

WhatsApp offers a range of built-in privacy features designed to protect users from unauthorized access, surveillance, and social engineering attacks. These tools help secure both your personal information and your communication, but they work best when users actively enable and manage them.

The table below summarizes the most important WhatsApp privacy and security features, how they work, and why they matter.

Table 1: WhatsApp Privacy and Security Features

Real-World WhatsApp Hack Cases

Cybercriminals continue to exploit WhatsApp vulnerabilities, targeting individuals, businesses, and government officials. Here are some of the most significant real-world hacking incidents involving WhatsApp:

1. NSO Group’s Pegasus Spyware Attack (2019 - 2024)

In 2019, WhatsApp sued the Israeli surveillance company NSO Group, accusing it of using Pegasus spyware to hack around 1,400 devices. The spyware exploited a vulnerability in WhatsApp’s video calling feature, allowing attackers to infect devices even if the recipient didn’t answer the call.

The attack targeted journalists, human rights activists, and government officials, raising serious concerns about privacy and digital surveillance. In December 2024, a U.S. judge ruled that NSO Group had violated hacking laws and WhatsApp’s terms of service, marking a major victory for privacy rights. (Source: The Guardian)

2. WhatsApp Data Breach (November 2022)

In November 2022, a major WhatsApp data breach exposed the phone numbers of nearly 500 million users across 84 countries. The stolen data was put up for sale on a hacking forum, making users vulnerable to phishing attacks, spam, and scams.

Although WhatsApp denied that the data was obtained through a breach of its systems, experts warned that cybercriminals could use this information for social engineering attacks and identity theft. This incident underscored the risks associated with leaked personal data and the need for enhanced privacy protection. (Source: Cybernews)

3. AI Voice Cloning and SIM Swap Scam (2023)

In 2023, cybersecurity expert Jake Moore conducted an experiment to demonstrate how AI voice cloning and SIM swap attacks can be used to bypass security and commit fraud.

Using publicly available videos from a business owner’s YouTube channel, he was able to clone the person's voice using AI software. To make the attack more convincing, he also hacked the victim's WhatsApp account via SIM swapping.

Once inside the account, he sent a voice message to the company’s financial director, requesting a £250 payment to a fake contractor. Since the message came from the victim’s WhatsApp account and sounded exactly like him, the financial director believed it was legitimate and transferred the money within 16 minutes.

This case highlights the growing risk of AI-driven fraud and how cybercriminals are combining deepfake technology with traditional hacking techniques to deceive their victims. (Source: WeLiveSecurity) This trend is prompting more users to adopt secure solutions, such as secure travel eSim options for better protection.

WhatsApp’s Latest Security Updates in 2025

To stay ahead of evolving cyber threats, WhatsApp has introduced several security enhancements in 2025 that strengthen account protection and improve transparency without burdening users.

Account Protect

When you try to move your WhatsApp account to a new device, a prompt now appears on your previously linked device, asking you to confirm the transfer. This feature helps prevent unauthorized account migrations — especially in SIM swap or stolen device scenarios.

Device Verification

WhatsApp now includes background integrity checks that silently verify your device’s authenticity during login. This makes it harder for malware-infected or cloned devices to access your account, even if the verification code is stolen.

Automatic Security Codes (Key Transparency)

Instead of manually verifying encryption codes with contacts, WhatsApp now automatically checks whether your connection is secure using a technology called Key Transparency. When you open a chat's encryption info screen, it confirms that the end-to-end encryption hasn’t been tampered with — without requiring technical steps from the user.

These updates reflect WhatsApp’s focus on strengthening security while keeping the user experience simple and seamless.

What to Do If Your WhatsApp Is Hacked

If you suspect that your WhatsApp account has been hacked, take these steps immediately to regain control and secure your data:

• Log Out of All Sessions: Open Settings > Linked Devices and log out of all connected devices to remove any unauthorized access.
• Reverify Your Account: Reinstall WhatsApp and complete the verification process using your phone number. Do not share your verification code with anyone.
• Notify Your Contacts: Inform your friends and family that your account was hacked to prevent scammers from impersonating you.
• Enable Two-Step Verification: Once you regain access, activate two-step verification in Settings > Account to add an extra layer of protection.
• Report the Incident: Contact WhatsApp Support and provide details of the breach. If financial fraud or sensitive data is involved, report it to local authorities or a cybercrime unit.

Taking swift action can help minimize damage and prevent further misuse of your account.

WhatsApp vs. Signal and Telegram: Which Messaging App Offers Better Security?

While WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world, it's not the only option for users seeking secure communication. Privacy-focused alternatives like Signal and Telegram each offer unique strengths and limitations in terms of encryption, metadata protection, and user control.

Understanding how these platforms compare can help individuals and businesses choose the right tool based on their privacy requirements, threat models, and usability needs.

Table 2: Security Comparison of WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram

Choosing the Right App for Your Needs

• Choose Signal if your top priority is maximum privacy and you're comfortable using a platform with fewer mainstream features.
• Choose Telegram if you want speed, multi-device syncing, and more flexibility — but remember to turn on Secret Chats for true end-to-end encryption.
• Choose WhatsApp if you’re looking for a strong mix of security and convenience, especially if most of your contacts already use it — and be sure to enable two-step verification and encrypted backups for better protection.

Ultimately, no messaging app is 100% secure on its own. Users should combine secure apps with strong digital hygiene practices to stay protected against phishing, impersonation, and data leaks.

Protect Your WhatsApp Account from Emerging Threats

While WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption makes it a secure messaging platform, it remains a target for cybercriminals. Threats like phishing scams, spyware attacks, and SIM swapping highlight the need for stronger security practices beyond WhatsApp’s built-in protections.

To safeguard your account, always enable two-step verification, monitor linked devices, and stay cautious of unsolicited messages. Businesses must also ensure that employees are aware of social engineering tactics and implement organization-wide security policies to prevent unauthorized access.

For a comprehensive approach to human risk management, explore Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform to identify vulnerabilities, train employees, and strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity posture.

Editor’s Note: This blog post was last updated on June 23, 2025.