In recent months, Kazakhstanis have increasingly been facing WhatsApp account hacks. Fraudsters gain access to correspondence and begin writing to the account owner's relatives and acquaintances, urgently asking them to transfer money.

According to law enforcement agencies, messenger-based fraud remains one of the most common cybercrime schemes. Criminals use stolen accounts to extort money from unsuspecting contacts. In such cases, victims lose tens or even hundreds of thousands of tenge, and sometimes significantly larger sums. The main causes of hacks include sharing verification codes with third parties, clicking on suspicious links, installing dubious applications, and not enabling two-step verification.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan has warned citizens about cases of unauthorised access to WhatsApp accounts and has provided recommendations on how to protect them.

HOW TO PROTECT WHATSAPP

1. Enable two-step verification.

Open WhatsApp → Settings → Account → Two-step verification → Enable.
Set a six-digit PIN and provide an email address for account recovery. Never share this PIN with anyone.

2. Regularly check linked devices.

Open the menu (three dots) → Linked devices. If you see an unfamiliar device in the list, immediately tap on it and select "Log out."

Signs that your account may have been hacked:

– unfamiliar linked devices appear;
– messages are being sent without your involvement;
– your contacts report receiving suspicious requests from you;
– you receive an SMS with a verification code you did not request;
– your account logs out spontaneously.

What to do if you suspect a hack

1. Immediately end all active sessions in the "Linked devices" section.
2. Change your two-step verification PIN.
3. Warn your contacts that your account may have been compromised.
4. Check your phone and computer for malware.
5. If necessary, contact the police.
6.  

Cybersecurity experts recommend:

1. Never share verification codes from SMS or WhatsApp with third parties.
2. Do not click on suspicious links.
3. Do not install applications at the request of strangers.
4. If you receive a message from an acquaintance urgently asking you to transfer money, be sure to call them back and confirm that it is really them.

And remember: vigilance and simple protective measures significantly reduce the risk of losing your account and your money.

Prepared by Viktor PANAYEV