How to Log Out from a Hacked WhatsApp
How to Log Out from a Hacked WhatsApp on Android and iOS: A Complete Guide
In the digital age, WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used messaging apps for millions of users. However, with increased use comes increased risk, and your WhatsApp account can become a target for hackers.
If you suspect that your WhatsApp account has been hacked, taking immediate steps to log out and secure your account is crucial.
This
guide will walk you through the process of logging out from a hacked WhatsApp
on both Android and iOS devices, with tips to secure your account afterward.
Signs That Your WhatsApp Has
Been Hacked
Before you take any action, it’s
important to identify whether your WhatsApp has indeed been compromised. Here
are some key indicators:
- Messages sent in your chats without your knowledge
or unusual conduct.
- You are logged out unexpectedly, and a message says
your account is active on another device.
- Unknown logins on WhatsApp Web.
- Receiving messages from friends about unusual or
suspicious texts from your account.
If any of these are happening,
it’s time to act quickly.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Log
Out from Hacked WhatsApp on Android and iOS
1. Log Out from WhatsApp Web
Sessions
One of the easiest ways hackers
access your WhatsApp account is through WhatsApp Web. To log out of every
active session, follow these steps:
For Android and iOS:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Tap on the three vertical dots (Android) or the
Settings icon (iOS) in the top right corner.
- Select Linked Devices.
- Here, you will see all the devices connected to
your WhatsApp account. To end any open sessions, tap Log out from all
devices.
This action will immediately stop
unauthorized access through WhatsApp Web.
2. Deactivate WhatsApp on Your
Phone
If you can still access your
WhatsApp account, follow these steps to deactivate it temporarily.
For Android and iOS:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your phone. This will log
you out, but don't worry—you can reinstall it later.
- Notify WhatsApp support by sending an email to support@whatsapp.com
with the subject line Lost/Stolen: Please deactivate my account.
Include your phone number in international format (e.g., +1 234 567 8900).
Deactivating your account
prevents the hacker from accessing your chats and data until you are ready to
reactivate it.
3. Use Two-Factor
Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
increases security even more. Enabling this feature will require anyone trying
to log into your WhatsApp account to provide a six-digit PIN.
Here’s how to enable 2FA on both
Android and iOS:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Select Two-step verification.
- Tap Enable and set your six-digit PIN.
- Add an email address as a recovery option.
Even if a hacker knows your phone
number, they won’t be able to log into your account without the 2FA PIN.
4. Change Your Phone Number
(Optional)
If you want to ensure complete
security after logging out, you can change your WhatsApp phone number. This
way, any hacker who might have access to your old number won't be able to
re-enter your account.
For Android and iOS:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Select Account.
- Tap Change Number.
- Type in both your phone number from now on.
- WhatsApp will send a verification code to your new
number. Once verified, your account will switch to the new number.
5. Log Back In and Restore
Data
After securing your account, you
can reinstall WhatsApp and log back in with your phone number. If you had a
backup, WhatsApp will offer you the option to restore your chat history.
- Download WhatsApp from the Google Play Store
(Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Start the application and input your mobile number.
- WhatsApp will send you a verification code. Once
entered, you’ll be logged back in.
- If prompted, restore your chat history from your
backup.
Additional Tips to Secure Your
WhatsApp Account
Once you’ve logged out of a
hacked WhatsApp account, you should take further steps to secure it against
future attacks:
- Update WhatsApp regularly: Always keep your
app updated to the latest version to benefit from the newest security
patches.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi: Hackers can easily
intercept data on unsecured public networks.
- Do not share verification codes: Never share
your WhatsApp verification code with anyone, even if they seem
trustworthy.
- Review privacy settings: Go to Settings >
Account > Privacy and adjust your settings to limit who can see your
profile, status, and last seen.
Conclusion
Being hacked on WhatsApp can be a distressing experience, but knowing how to log out from compromised sessions on both Android and iOS can save your personal data from further misuse.
Always ensure that you follow up with security measures such as enabling two-factor authentication and reviewing your privacy settings to prevent future attacks.
By taking these steps, you can regain control of your WhatsApp account and keep
it secure moving forward.
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