How to check if someone else is using your WhatsApp account

Like many other online applications, WhatsApp does its best to maintain the privacy and security of its users' data. With features like one login at a time and two-factor authentication, the platform is relatively secure.

But, like everything connected to the Internet, there are security holes that nefarious individuals are only too happy to explore. Due to the nature of WhatsApp, it's essential to act quickly if you suspect your account has been hacked.

This article will teach you how to detect suspicious activity in WhatsApp and secure your account. Let's dive in!

Log in

To better understand how WhatsApp works, we will first explain how to log into your account. WhatsApp offers two means of access; online and via the app (available on iOS and Android).

Using the web version of WhatsApp makes typing much easier as you can do it on a keyboard rather than tapping on your phone screen.

1. Open a WhatsApp web session by selecting the three-dot menu icon from the main WhatsApp window.
   
2. Select WhatsApp Web. This opens your camera.
   
3. You will be prompted to scan a QR code which you can get by opening WhatsApp Web in your browser.
   
4. Open WhatsApp Web in your browser.
   
5. Scan the QR code in your browser window with your phone's camera.
   

Your WhatsApp window on your phone should be mirrored in the browser, allowing you to chat and interact as usual.

Check if anyone is using your WhatsApp account

WhatsApp is relatively easy to use. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to spot an intruder if they don't interact with the app. This scenario would most likely be someone who only wants to listen to your conversations. But, some hackers also want to take over your account.

Whatever their intentions, we will use this section to inform you of some warning signs that someone is in your account.

Check your WhatsApp activity

First, if the other person is using your account, they will leave a trail. Here's where to look:

Look at your messages – For starters, the most apparent signs of someone else using your account are in your messages. From messages you haven't sent to messages from people you don't know, this should be your first stop.

When you open WhatsApp, you will first see a list of messages. Check this list for any messages you haven't sent and any messages you've received from people you don't know.

If you see strange email activity, there's probably someone in your account.

Check your details – If the intruder tries to hack into your account, they will start changing your details.

Using the WhatsApp mobile app, do the following:

1. Tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner. Next, tap on “Settings”.
   
2. Tap your profile at the top of the menu.
   
3. Review the information and verify that it is accurate and up-to-date.
   

If anything changes or there's information here that you don't recognize, you'll need to secure your account, which we'll talk about in a bit more detail below.

Check WhatsApp communications – At this point you should also check your text messages for any communication from WhatsApp. If you're using an iPhone, open Messages and use the search bar at the top to type "WhatsApp". If you are using an Android device, use the magnifying glass to search texts from WhatsApp.

What we are looking for here are any communications regarding account changes or account access.

Find new friends

Another telltale sign that someone is in your account is when you have new people or friends. All you have to do to view your contacts on WhatsApp is open the app and tap the chat icon in the lower right corner.

At the top of the page, you will see the number of contacts (36 in this example). Below you need to scroll down and make sure you recognize everyone on the list.

One of the great things about WhatsApp is that it will automatically detect your phone contacts using the app. So if someone logs in on their device, you'll probably see people you don't recognize.

Check WhatsApp Web

If you already use WhatsApp Web, you may know that you can see the last session or any open session if you select it from the three-dot settings menu. This action is a surefire way to know if someone is using your account.

1. Open WhatsApp and select the three-dot menu icon from the main window.
   
2. Select WhatsApp Web.
   
3. Review connected devices.
   

If the camera opens, there is no active WhatsApp web session in progress. If you see a window that lists a connected computer, there is an active session.

Tap each session and then "Sign out" to kick the intruder out of your WhatsApp account.

Unlike other services, this is the only way to see your WhatsApp login activity.

Securing your WhatsApp account

Now that we've determined that someone is using your account, let's start securing it. Keep in mind that if any of the situations mentioned above arise, you will need to act quickly.

Enable two-factor authentication in WhatsApp

If someone has used your WhatsApp account, you should lock it. If you're lucky, it's a sibling or partner spying on what you're doing. If you're not so lucky, it could be a hacker stealing your contacts and data and wreaking havoc on your social life. In any case, you must lock it by activating two-factor authentication.

WhatsApp does not use passwords. Instead, you need to enable two-factor authentication. This way, anyone trying to log in will have to enter a verification code.

1. Open WhatsApp and select the three-dot menu icon from the main window.
   
2. Select Settings and account.
   
3. Select Two-Step Verification.
   
4. Activate it and set your PIN.
   

Once set, each time you open WhatsApp you will need to enter this PIN to authenticate. Make sure the PIN code is not obvious and you have secured your WhatsApp account even more.

WhatsApp is a very secure app, but it's only as secure as you keep it. Using two-factor authentication is a viable way to lock down your account if someone has accessed it.

Do you know any other ways for someone to access your WhatsApp? Let us know below if you do!