NCCIA issues guidelines for immediate action to avert WhatsApp hack

Karachi (Web Desk): The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued guidelines advising users on immediate steps to take if their WhatsApp account is hacked.

According to NCCIA officials, if your WhatsApp account is compromised and you lose access to it, or if you suspect that someone else is using your account, you should immediately re-register your WhatsApp account. To do this, uninstall WhatsApp and then reinstall it. Enter your phone number, after which you will receive a six-digit code via SMS. Enter the code immediately.

Officials explained that once the code is entered, the hacker will be instantly logged out, as WhatsApp can only be active on one device at a time.

If the hacker has enabled Two-Step Verification and you do not know the PIN, WhatsApp may ask you to wait for seven days. Authorities said there is no need to panic during this period because once you have entered the SMS verification code, the hacker’s access is already terminated, and no one can use or read messages from your account during this time.

If you had previously linked your email address to your WhatsApp account, you can click on “Forgot PIN” to reset your PIN immediately and complete the recovery process without waiting.