Interior Ministry issues important instructions for WhatsApp users
Tengrinews.kz — Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has warned of cases of unauthorised access to users’ WhatsApp accounts. The ministry explained how to protect an account and recognise possible signs of hacking, according to Polisia.kz.
How to protect your WhatsApp account
The Ministry of Internal Affairs recommends enabling two-step verification. To do this, open WhatsApp, go to “Settings,” select “Account,” then “Two-step verification,” and tap “Enable.” Users should then set a six-digit PIN and provide an email address for account recovery.
The ministry stressed that the PIN should never be shared with anyone.
Users are also advised to regularly check the list of linked devices. To do this, open the WhatsApp menu, select “Linked devices,” and review the list.
If an unfamiliar device appears, users can select it and tap “Log out” to terminate access to the account.
How to tell if your WhatsApp account may have been hacked
The Ministry of Internal Affairs listed several signs of possible unauthorised access:
unfamiliar devices appearing in the list of linked devices;
messages being sent without the account owner’s knowledge;
friends reporting suspicious requests allegedly sent on your behalf;
receiving an SMS verification code that you did not request;
being unexpectedly logged out of your account.
If suspicious activity is detected, the ministry recommends ending all active sessions under “Linked devices” and changing the two-step verification PIN.
Users should also warn their contacts that the account may have been compromised and check their smartphone and computer for malware.
What to do with suspicious messages
The Ministry of Internal Affairs also urges users not to share verification codes received by SMS or through messaging apps with third parties. Users should not click suspicious links or install third-party applications at the request of unknown individuals.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs reminds users: if you receive a message from someone you know asking you to urgently transfer money, be sure to contact that person by phone or another method and make sure the message was actually sent by the account owner,” the statement said.