WhatsApp connects people with their loved ones across the globe. It’s a convenient and popular communication tool. However, many people are concerned about their privacy and ask, "Can WhatsApp be hacked?" or "Can someone read my WhatsApp chats?"
The app strongly emphasizes user privacy and security. But almost every technology has its flaws. Thus, your suspicion is valid if you suspect someone is spying on your WhatsApp.
And the answer is yes; your WhatsApp can be tracked. That is despite the end-to-end encryption and other privacy measures that the app uses. Someone could use workarounds like spy apps, malware/viruses, and stolen login details.
That's why studying how to know if your WhatsApp is being monitored is essential. This article has every detail regarding this topic.
You'll also discover ways to enhance security and privacy on WhatsApp. That will help prevent someone from hijacking your account. Keep reading.
In this article
How to Know If Your WhatsApp Is Being Monitored
Your WhatsApp messages and other activities are private. Nevertheless, sometimes, we can't help but suspect that someone is invading our privacy. As mentioned, your WhatsApp can be tracked (there is also the risk of your WhatsApp chats being seen by others). How do I know my WhatsApp is being monitored?
There are several red flags to watch out for to know if your WhatsApp is under siege and someone is tracking your activity. These red flags happen when you're being tracked or if there's a spy app installed on your device:
Check for Signs of Background Running Apps
A spy app could be installed on your phone secretly. Many of these apps are 100 percent undetectable once installed. However, if an app is running in the background, you can quickly know by paying attention to signs like the following:
- Unusual noise or notification - Your phone vibrates without any notifications.
- Temperature hike - Spy apps can overuse RAM, causing too much heating.
- Lag performance - You might notice your WhatsApp is running slower than usual. Or the device is hanging or blanking. That could happen due to excessive RAM usage by a spy application running in the background.
- Battery drains rapidly - Your phone needs to be charged more often. And you haven't engaged in any heavy activity, such as downloading videos. It could indicate that your phone is running a demanding background spy app.
Be Vigilant about Unfamiliar Activity on WhatsApp
Another way to know if someone monitors your WhatsApp is when you notice an activity that wasn't you. For example, a message appears to be read but not you. Or a message that is received from or sent to an unknown person.
Thus, keep an eye on your conversations. If you see any actions or changes that you did initiate, it's a sign that someone else has access to your WhatsApp.
Be alert for notifications about WhatsApp Web access. Hackers can access your QR code and scan it on their computer. This allows them to view and interact without WhatsApp chats and media.
Check the list of devices currently using your WhatsApp. Someone is tracking you if a device has been logged into the Web without your knowledge. How do you know if someone is spying on your WhatsApp Web?
- Tap the three dots on the top of the screen (or Settings on iPhone) on WhatsApp's main screen.
- Select Image nameed devices.
- Check if there are logged-in devices and log out any unknown device.
Review your WhatsApp contact information and the About section for any unfamiliar changes. When someone obtains access to your account, they may try to change some settings. A hacker can also change your contact information for their ill intention. Checking this information can help you recognize any unfamiliar changes. To further protect sensitive information, you can hide your chats on WhatsApp.
You can do that by following these steps:
- Tap the three dots on the top-right corner of the screen on your WhatsApp. Choose Settings.
- On the top of the menu, tap your profile.
- Go through all the settings and verify that nothing's been changed. Also, tap your profile picture and check the About section.
Someone Could Be Recording Your Calls
Have you noticed unusual background noise or feedback during your calls on WhatsApp? That's a potential sign that your WhatsApp is being monitored. An individual could be recording your WhatsApp calls remotely.
You Recently Installed and Granted Access to a Third-party App
Another way to know if your WhatsApp is being tracked is to see if you have a new app. You might have recently installed a suspicious app at someone's suggestion. This could be a modified or unofficial WhatsApp version. Someone might be using it to remotely monitor your WhatsApp.
Most of these modified applications often request access to your location and storage. It makes it easier for them to spy on your activities.
Did You Lose Your SIM Card?
WhatsApp initially relies on the SIM card during setup. And even if the SIM card is removed, the perpetrator can retain access to your WhatsApp account. This is typically a potential vulnerability. If someone gains access to your SIM, they can hijack your account without your awareness.
Can You Really Track Others' WhatsApp Without Them Knowing?
WhatsApp uses high-end technologies to ensure maximum security and privacy for users. These include end-to-end encryption and two-step verification. Yet, as mentioned, it's still possible for someone to track your private conversations.
A video guide for your quick look:
Luckily, in most cases, you'll know if someone is spying on your WhatsApp. But are there instances when it can happen without your knowledge? Yes, someone could use a spy third-party app like WaLastseen.
Luckily, the app won't give access to someone's WhatsApp chats and media. It's only designed to monitor a person's online status. With it, you can know when a person was last active on WhatsApp. And the best part is that the app is super easy to use!
Follow the steps below to track an individual's online status with WaLastseen:
- Install the software on your phone and then open it.
- Tap Add Contact on the app's home screen and add the WhatsApp contact you wish to track.
- Once you add your target contact, click the Start Tracking button at the bottom of the screen.
- After a few seconds, WaLastseen will display all the data you need about the contact.
You can check a person's online status by date. For instance, you can choose Today and see the time (in minutes and seconds) the person was online. The app also shows how long they stayed online.
If you choose to track the Last 7 Days, you'll be presented with a chat showing when the person was last seen online. You'll also know how much time they spend on WhatsApp. Other key features of WaLastseen include in following:
- Calendar - You can choose a preferred date to track your target contact.
- Timeline - This page displays all the times and how long the person spends on WhatsApp.
- Customization - Customize the time you'd like to track your target contact.
- Notifications - This feature lets you know when your target is online.
How to Protect Your WhatsApp from Being Monitored
You've learned how to know if someone is spying on your WhatsApp. What's the next course of action? You must protect your WhatsApp from being monitored by implementing the following hacks:
- Disable Location Services (GPS)
When you notice suspicious activity on WhatsApp, turn off your phone's location. It's the quickest way to avoid your WhatsApp being monitored. But this should often be a temporary fix.
Turning off the location may interfere with the proper functioning of your apps. Many apps rely on tracking your location to deliver relevant information. For example, WhatsApp Live Location feature uses GPS to share your real-time location with your family and friends.
So, temporarily disable location when you first notice you're being tracked. During that short period, look for a more effective and long-term fix. You can consider using a VPN. A VPN adds an extra security layer between you and whoever is spying on you. It becomes challenging for the hackers to hack your WhatsApp chats.
- Disable WhatsApp Web/Image nameed Devices
As explained, hackers can use WhatsApp Web to spy on you. If you discover that your WhatsApp chats are tracked, act immediately to prevent further damage. Sign out of all WhatsApp sessions to lock the hacker off your account.
To sign out, open WhatsApp and tap the three dots in the top-right corner. Tap WhatsApp Web > Image nameed Devices, then select Log out of all devices.
- Open Two-Step Verification
Another step to take when you know your WhatsApp is tracked is to deploy the two-step verification. The features add another layer of security to your WhatsApp account. WhatsApp will send a code to the targeted number whenever a user attempts to register an account. That's often a six-digit passcode to verify your phone number.
It helps to keep hackers off even when they obtain your login information and password. It’s simple to enable two-step verification on your WhatsApp. Go to Settings > Account > tap Two-step verification, then choose Enable.
- Change Phone Number and/or Password
After removing any suspicious logins, changing your phone number sounds excellent. But this has a few drawbacks. First, you'll lose your previous conversations. You'll have to re-share your contact with all those who may need to contact you again.
But, if you have enough reason to suspect that someone is monitoring you, this is an excellent way to stop it. Also, ensure you use a unique, strong password for your WhatsApp account. Avoid easily guessable words, like names and birth dates. An ideal password should combine numbers, letters, and special characters.
- Avoid Clicking/Be Careful of Unsolicited Messages/Image names
Cyberattacks, malware, and data breaches have become more common nowadays. Thus, it's always good to practice safe browsing habits. Be careful when clicking on a Image name sent to you through WhatsApp. It may lead to malicious sites that could steal your login information. Or install malware on your phone.
- Update Your Device and App Regularly
Keep your device up-to-date by installing security patches as they become available. These security patches protect your phone against recent malware and viruses. Please update your web browsers, apps, and the device itself. It will protect you against any unexpected attacks.
- Consider Installing an Antivirus App
Another way to keep your WhatsApp secure is installing an antivirus app on your phone. The app protects against malware. It will periodically scan your phone for spyware infections. You'll never be caught up off guard. Reputable apps can scan any files you download and prevent you from accessing malicious websites.
Conclusion
This article was mainly about how to know if your WhatsApp is being monitored. Knowing that requires a keen examination of the various tracking signs. These include unfamiliar activity on WhatsApp and symptoms of background running apps.
The article also discusses tips to prevent unauthorized access to your WhatsApp. Always stay informed about the potential signs and take the necessary precautions discussed. It will significantly help preserve the security of your WhatsApp account.
