Here’s How To Detect WhatsApp Spyware On Your Device

Across the world today, WhatsApp has possibly become the most popular medium of communication. This social app allows people of different ages and professions send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content. In fact, the numbers of users of this social app by Facebook stands at about 2 billion in 180 countries today. As widely used and successful as this social app can be, there are several reasons why someone may hack into your WhatsApp. This reasons can be suspected cheating, parental control, for fun and many other reasons known to hackers,

However, with this immense popularity, usefulness, successful and every other things you can possibly think of this social app can be, there also great chances that someone is spying on WhatsApp to access sensitive and confidential information. While WhatsApp’s conversations are end-to-end encrypted (End-to-end encryption is a system of communication where only the communicating users can read the messages), doesn’t guarantee that your chats can’t be spied on. Hackers still have their ways of working around it. It is vital to understand that developers of the app implemented a high level of security to the extent that for a hacker to break into your account, they will have to spend a huge amount of resources and time

This article takes a deep dive into discussing various ways you can find out if someone is spying on your WhatsApp. So if you are as curious as we are at TechBooky, fasten your seat belt and lets us dive right in.

How to Detect WhatsApp Spyware on Your Device

• Check Your Linked Devices History

WhatsApp offers a feature called WhatsApp Web (an extended feature) which allows users to scan a QR code from your mobile device in other to access WhatsApp on your computers. Many who utilize this method have realized it makes communication more convenient, especially for people who work on their laptops all day. However, this also means that someone could use it to their advantage to spy on all your conversations. If you’re unaware of how WhatsApp Web functions, you could fall prey to such attempts.

If you haven’t utilize WhatsApp Web and you’re looking to use it for the first time, you may not want to skip this part. The first step to initiate WhatsApp Web is to type the URL web.whatsapp.com on your computer’s browser. This opens a page with a QR code, as in the image below. Next, you need to open WhatsApp on your smartphone, go to the options button, or the three dots on the top right-hand corner of the screen, and select WhatsApp Web. You’ll then have to scan the QR code on your computer screen and you’ll be given access to WhatsApp Web.

When WhatsApp Web becomes active, the first thing to notice is that you’ll notice a corresponding logo of a laptop on your phone’s notification panel. This logo signifies that WhatsApp Web is active on your computer. Now, let’s come to how you can detect if someone is using this to spy on you. If you’ve never used WhatsApp, or did, but logged out of your last known session and continue seeing this logo, you can be sure that your WhatsApp Web is still active, if that’s not you, someone else has access.

While this can come true as scary, there is an immediate solution that cuts off the web access. Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to the option (three dots on the top-right hand corner) and click on Linked Devices. This will show you the browser and the time at which WhatsApp Web was last used on another device. If you notice an unauthorized link, click on the device and click on Log Out. This will cease all connections and unlink the devices immediately.

• You Notice Strange Changes on Your WhatsApp

Another sign that someone is spying on and remotely controlling your WhatsApp is to look out for strange changes or messages that you don’t remember making or sending. If this happens, it can be extremely damaging to your safety and reputation, so it’s essential that you’re always vigilant even as you enjoy the advantages the app presents.

• Your Phone Heats Up when When Not in Use

Every smartphone is bound to heat up a little when in use or when it’s being charged at one point or the other. This is typical of devices that are tuned to use powerful Fast Charging mechanisms. However, if you notice that your phone is heating up unusually even when not in use, it could be a sign that there’s some program running in the background. This is most likely to be spyware or a keylogger, and chances are that it’s also being used to spy on your WhatsApp apart from the rest of your device. While this can be a scary sign, be sure to exercise some caution before reaching a conclusion.

Your WhatsApp Slows Down While the Rest of the Phone Is Fast

If you notice that your WhatsApp is slowing down while the rest of your phone is still blazing fast, this could be a sign that someone is using spyware to spy on your WhatsApp. Spywares are third-party apps available and used to spy. Once hackers get access to your device, they can install the spyware app and hide it, they can start gathering information on the background. Be sure if your phone must be with anyone apart from you, ensure your phone is locked if not in use. Also be sure not to leave your device carelessly.

• Does Your Battery Drains out Faster Than Usual

Every mobile user is generally aware of how long their phone’s battery lasts on an average day of use. This could include using social media apps, watching a Few YouTube videos, Netflix, or when using their device as a mobile hotspot. However, if you suddenly notice that your device’s battery has started draining out much faster than usual without a corresponding increase in its usage, this could be a sign of an app in the background that’s consuming part of its juice. Ensure you establish the root cause of it before moving unto other things.

If you notice that your WhatsApp account is already being hacked and happens frequently then you might take a few steps on this and the issue will be totally solved. Just act on these methods. Activate the WhatsApp Two-step verification (this feature works by sending a verification code to the targeted number whenever a user trying to register an account on WhatsApp), Disable WhatsApp Web or Lock all Applications (Android and iOS both have the feature to lock the apps using pattern or password). As much as the use of spywares have its good side, the bad side are also enormous, it can be quite scary to know if it been used badly. Often, while parents or employers use the phone tracking apps to track their children or employees positively, hackers can also misuse them to spy on people’s WhatsApp or other aspects of their devices negatively. The most important thing is to always be vigilant and keep yourself safe online!