The verification code changes each time. Hackers may use this to hijack your account.
A real-life incident: Nimal received a call asking for a number from an SMS. He shared it, unknowingly giving access to create a fake account under his name.
Never share your WhatsApp verification code with anyone.
See “What can I do if my account is hacked?” section if you're compromised.
Even with security measures, information shared can be leaked or misused.
Review your WhatsApp privacy settings. Limit profile access and avoid sharing sensitive content.
If someone's behavior changes unexpectedly, verify with them directly.
Call to confirm identity if you suspect impersonation.
Scams may appear as official messages from companies or WhatsApp.
If unsure, verify through another method. Treat unknown messages with suspicion.
False information can manipulate opinions and cause harm.
Verify facts through trusted news sources before believing or sharing.
Open WhatsApp, tap on the Menu button at the top right, then go to Settings → Account → Privacy.
You can set your last seen, profile photo, and status to:
When a new device joins a chat, a new security code is generated. Enable notifications to verify encryption.
Go to Settings → Account → Security → Show security notifications and toggle it on.
Go to Settings → Account → Two-step verification → Enable.
For more info, visit: About two-step verification
Note: This feature won’t help if your phone is stolen, but protects against remote hijacks.
Add biometric security to your WhatsApp account.
You can set when WhatsApp will lock: immediately, 1 minute, 15 minutes, or 1 hour.
Prevent strangers from adding you to groups.
Go to Settings → Account → Privacy → Groups and choose Nobody.
Install updates regularly to stay protected.
Never share this code with anyone. It gives full access to your WhatsApp account.
Attackers can register your number on another phone and impersonate you.
You should never share your WhatsApp SMS verification code with others. If you’re tricked into sharing your code and lose access to your WhatsApp account — or suspect someone is using your account — follow these steps:
To regain access to your WhatsApp account, follow these steps:
If this process fails: You may need to factory reset your phone and reinstall WhatsApp.
Important: Before performing a factory reset, ensure you back up your personal files — including photos, videos, and other important data.
Before changing your number, ensure the following:
To check the registered number, open WhatsApp → Settings and tap on your profile photo. Your registered phone number will be displayed beneath your name.
To initiate the number change:
Note: As long as you continue using the same phone, your chat history will remain intact even after changing your number.
Go to WhatsApp and tap on the Menu button at the top right corner, then select the dropdown icon beside the search bar. Navigate to Settings → Account → Delete my account. Enter your full phone number with country code, then tap “Delete my Account”.
Things to know before deleting your WhatsApp account:
Open WhatsApp and select the contact you want to block. Tap on the Menu button at the top right corner. From the dropdown, select “More” → then tap “Block” and confirm by selecting OK.
To leave a group chat, open the group, tap the group name at the top, scroll down, and select “Exit Group.”
If you receive a message from an unknown number, you can report it directly from the chat window.
Alternatively, to report from the profile:
WhatsApp receives the latest messages from the reported entity and metadata on your interaction.
You can log out of WhatsApp Web or Desktop from your phone or computer.
To report abuse or issues, visit: WhatsApp Security & Privacy and navigate to the reporting section.
