WhatsApp Account Hijacking: Tactics, Detection, and Mitigation

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting WhatsApp accounts to impersonate victims and conduct fraudulent activities, such as emergency scams or unauthorized financial requests. According to Kaspersky¹, these attacks often exploit social engineering, SIM swapping, or session hijacking. This article breaks down the technical mechanisms behind these attacks, detection methods, and actionable mitigation strategies.

Attack Vectors and Technical Analysis

Attackers primarily use three methods to compromise WhatsApp accounts. First, SIM swapping involves social engineering to redirect SMS verification codes to the attacker’s device. Second, session hijacking exploits the “Linked Devices” feature, allowing persistent access even after the victim logs out. Third, phishing links disguised as WhatsApp support messages trick users into revealing credentials². These techniques bypass traditional security measures like SMS-based 2FA, emphasizing the need for stronger authentication layers.

Detection and Incident Response

Key indicators of a compromised account include unrecognized linked devices, unsent messages (e.g., loan requests), or sudden profile changes. To respond, users should immediately log out all sessions via WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices and enable two-step verification with a recovery email³. For enterprises, monitoring anomalous login patterns or unexpected group additions can help detect breaches early.

Prevention and Hardening

Mitigation strategies include enabling two-step verification, avoiding shared verification codes, and using security tools like Kaspersky to detect phishing attempts. Organizations should educate employees on recognizing social engineering tactics, especially in high-risk regions like Peru and Chile, where over 9,000 fraud cases were reported in 2025².

Relevance to Security Teams

Red teams can simulate these attacks to test organizational resilience against credential theft and session hijacking. Blue teams should prioritize monitoring linked devices and enforce strict authentication policies. CISOs should consider integrating WhatsApp security into broader incident response plans, given its widespread use in business communications.

Conclusion

WhatsApp account hijacking poses significant risks to both individuals and organizations. By understanding the attack vectors and implementing robust detection and mitigation measures, users can reduce their vulnerability to these scams. Future trends may see attackers leveraging AI-driven social engineering, making proactive security education even more critical.