How to Secure Your WhatsApp Account and Stop Hackers
WhatsApp has become an important part of everyday communication. People use it to talk to family and friends, run businesses, send documents, share photos and communicate with customers.
That also makes WhatsApp accounts attractive targets for scammers.
One of the most common ways criminals try to take over an account is by tricking the owner into revealing a WhatsApp registration or verification code. Other risks include social engineering, suspicious links and unauthorized access to linked devices.
The good news is that you can significantly improve your account security by changing a few settings and being careful about what information you share.
Here is how to secure your WhatsApp account step by step.
1. Turn On WhatsApp Two-Step Verification
The first thing you should do is enable WhatsApp’s two-step verification feature.
WhatsApp says two-step verification adds an additional layer of security to your account. It protects the account with an additional password or PIN after the phone-number registration process. WhatsApp is also upgrading its six-digit PIN system to a password for users who have the older PIN protection.
To find the setting, open WhatsApp and go to:
Settings → Account → Two-step verification
Follow the instructions shown in the app.
If WhatsApp asks you to add an email address for account recovery, use an email account that you control and protect properly.
An email address associated with your WhatsApp security settings should itself have strong security.
2. Never Give Anyone Your WhatsApp Verification Code
This is one of the most important rules.
Your WhatsApp registration code is used to verify that you control the phone number associated with the account.
WhatsApp specifically warns users not to share their six-digit registration code or password with anyone.
A scammer might contact you pretending to be:
- A friend
- A WhatsApp employee
- A customer
- A delivery company
- A bank employee
- A business partner
- Someone who accidentally entered your number
They may then ask you to send them a code that arrives on your phone.
Do not send it.
If you receive a WhatsApp verification code that you did not request, treat it as a warning that someone may be attempting to register your number on another device.
3. Don’t Share Your Two-Step Verification Password
Your two-step verification password is also private.
WhatsApp’s security guidance says users should not share their registration code or password with other people.
A legitimate service should not need you to send your private security credentials through WhatsApp.
If someone asks for your password, verification code or other security credentials, stop the conversation and verify the request independently.
4. Check Your Linked Devices
WhatsApp allows you to use your account on computers and other linked devices.
That is convenient, but you should periodically check which devices have access to your account.
If you see a device you don’t recognize, remove it.
This is particularly important if you have used WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp on a computer that other people can access.
Don’t assume an unfamiliar device is harmless.
If you don’t recognize it, investigate and remove it rather than leaving it connected.
5. Be Careful With Messages Asking You to Click a Link
A WhatsApp message can contain a link that leads to a fake website.
The message might claim that you have:
- Won a prize
- Received a payment
- Been selected for a job
- Received a package
- Won an investment opportunity
- Been given a special offer
- Had your account suspended
The message may create urgency and tell you to click immediately.
Don’t let the urgency make the decision for you.
If the message claims to come from a company, open the company’s official website independently rather than using the link in the message.
This is especially important when the link asks for a password, payment information or an account verification code.
6. Don’t Share Your Screen During a Suspicious Call
Screen sharing can expose information that you didn’t intend to show another person.
Depending on what is displayed, someone watching your screen could potentially see:
- Verification codes
- Passwords
- Banking information
- Private conversations
- Emails
- Personal documents
- Notifications
If someone unexpectedly asks you to share your screen, especially while you’re trying to log into an account or receive a verification code, stop and consider why they need to see it.
There is rarely a good reason to show a stranger your private security information.
7. Protect the Phone Itself
Your WhatsApp security is also affected by the security of the device running it.
Use a strong screen lock on your phone.
Depending on your device, this could include:
- A strong PIN
- A password
- Fingerprint authentication
- Face authentication
Don’t leave your phone unlocked where other people can access it.
The FTC also recommends locking computers and phones when they aren’t being used as part of basic protection against unauthorized access.
8. Keep WhatsApp and Your Phone Updated
Don’t ignore software updates indefinitely.
Updates can contain security fixes as well as new features.
The FTC recommends keeping your operating system, browser, applications and security software updated because criminals may try to exploit weaknesses in outdated software.
Turn on automatic updates where practical.
This doesn’t make a phone completely secure, but it removes one avoidable source of risk.
9. Protect Your Email Account Too
Your email account can be important when recovering or securing online accounts.
If your email is compromised, an attacker may be able to access security notifications or recovery processes for other services.
Protect your main email account with:
- A unique password
- Two-factor authentication
- A recovery method you control
- Regular checks of account activity
Google recommends two-step verification and offers stronger options such as passkeys and security keys.
Microsoft also recommends two-step verification for Microsoft accounts.
The principle is simple:
Don’t protect WhatsApp while leaving the email account connected to your digital life poorly protected.
10. Never Trust Someone Just Because They Know Your Name
Scammers can know surprisingly little about you and still make a conversation sound convincing.
Someone might know:
- Your name
- Your phone number
- Your city
- Your workplace
- The name of a friend
- Your social media username
That information doesn’t prove that the person is legitimate.
If someone contacts you unexpectedly and asks for money, passwords, codes or other sensitive information, verify their identity through another trusted channel.
For example, if someone claims to be a friend using a new number, call their known number rather than simply trusting the new WhatsApp account.
11. Use Strong, Unique Passwords Elsewhere
WhatsApp isn’t the only account you need to protect.
Your email, banking, social media and cloud-storage accounts should also have strong credentials.
The FTC recommends long passwords and says a password manager can help create and store strong passwords. It also recommends avoiding password reuse across different accounts.
If the same password is used everywhere, one compromised service can potentially put other accounts at risk.
A password manager can make it much easier to use a different password for every important account.
12. Don’t Share One-Time Codes With Anyone
This rule goes beyond WhatsApp.
Banks, email services, social networks and other platforms may send one-time verification codes.
A scammer who already knows your username or phone number may try to convince you to provide the code.
Don’t.
The FTC warns that scammers may try to trick people into handing over verification codes.
If you didn’t initiate the login or transaction yourself, don’t give the code to the person contacting you.
13. Add Security to Your Other Important Accounts
WhatsApp should be part of a larger security routine.
Start with accounts that could cause serious damage if compromised:
- Main email
- Banking and financial accounts
- Social media
- Cloud storage
- Shopping accounts
- Work accounts
Turn on two-factor authentication or another strong authentication method wherever available.
The FTC recommends using two-factor authentication on sensitive accounts, while Google says passkeys and hardware security keys can provide stronger phishing protection than traditional verification methods.
What If Someone Has Already Taken Over Your WhatsApp?
If you believe someone has gained control of your WhatsApp account, don’t waste time arguing with the person who contacted you.
Start by trying to regain control through WhatsApp’s official registration process.
WhatsApp explains that registering the phone number with the required verification process is what activates the account.
If you still have access to the phone number associated with the account, follow WhatsApp’s official recovery and registration instructions.
Also warn your contacts through another channel if necessary.
For example, tell close contacts:
“My WhatsApp account may have been compromised. Please ignore requests for money or verification codes from that account until I confirm it’s secure.”
This can prevent the attacker from using your account to target other people.
What If You Received a WhatsApp Verification Code You Didn’t Request?
Don’t share the code.
Someone may simply have entered your number by mistake, but it can also indicate that somebody is attempting to register your number.
Keep the code private and review your account security settings.
If you suspect an account takeover attempt, make sure two-step verification is enabled and review your linked devices.
How to Make Your WhatsApp Account Safer in 10 Minutes
If you want a quick security checklist, do these things today:
1. Enable WhatsApp two-step verification.
2. Add and verify a recovery email if the feature is available to you.
3. Check your linked devices.
4. Remove devices you don’t recognize.
5. Make sure your phone has a strong screen lock.
6. Update WhatsApp and your phone.
7. Never share WhatsApp registration codes.
8. Never share your two-step verification password.
9. Protect your main email account with two-factor authentication.
10. Be suspicious of unexpected requests for money, passwords or verification codes.
These steps don’t make an account impossible to attack, but they can make common takeover and social-engineering attempts much harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I secure my WhatsApp account?
Enable two-step verification, protect your registration code, check linked devices regularly, keep your phone and WhatsApp updated, use a strong device lock and avoid suspicious links or requests for sensitive information.
Can someone hack my WhatsApp with my phone number?
Knowing your phone number alone should not give someone access to your WhatsApp account. Attackers may, however, try to trick you into giving them a registration code or other security information. Never share those codes.
Should I give someone my WhatsApp verification code?
No. WhatsApp says users should never share their six-digit registration code or password with anyone.
What is WhatsApp two-step verification?
It is an optional security feature that adds another authentication step to your WhatsApp account. WhatsApp says it provides additional protection for the account.
How do I know if someone is using my WhatsApp?
Check your linked devices and look for devices you don’t recognize. If you find an unfamiliar device, remove it and review your account security settings.
Is a WhatsApp verification code the same as my two-step verification password?
No. They serve different purposes. WhatsApp uses a registration code to verify the phone number, while two-step verification adds an additional security credential to the account.
Final Takeaway
Securing WhatsApp doesn’t require complicated technical knowledge.
The most important habits are simple: enable two-step verification, keep your verification codes private, check linked devices, protect your phone and don’t trust unexpected requests for sensitive information.
And remember one rule above everything else:
If someone asks you for a WhatsApp verification code, don’t give it to them.
A few seconds of caution can prevent the loss of an account that may contain years of conversations, contacts, photos and important information.
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