Ex-KPK Spokesman's WhatsApp Account Hijacked, Here's How To Retrieve

Illustration of WhatsApp application (Photo by Rachit Tank on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Spokesman Febri Diansyah became a victim of hacking. His personal WhatsApp account was hijacked, even though Febri had used layered security.

"My WA account was recently inaccessible. If there's a message I'm sending right now, it's not from me. Previously there was incomplete login in my Telegram account," Febri tweeted some time ago.

Because there were several questions: I have used 2FA or two step verification in WA, touch id password and other security available in WA.

— Febri Diansyah (@febridiansyah) May 20, 2021

Febri admitted that he has activated layered security features such as Two-Step Verification to touch id password to secure the messaging application on his phone.

"My 2FA is reset, but I did not ask it. After that, I can not reply to access WA, or in other words, hacked by others," he told VOI.

It took a while for Febri to finally regain his personal WA account. He has also complained about this issue to WhatsApp Messenger Support.

"Until there is an OTP SMS code, I immediately activate again 2FA to restore WA access again. The process is not up to 24 hours," he continued.

Retrieving Hijacked WhatsApp

The hacking case experienced by ex-KPK officials is quite interesting. Because Febri has activated a layered security feature so that his WhatsApp account can not be taken over or hijacked.

As reported from the official website, there are several options to solve the hijacked WhatsApp account. The way used by Febri is quite appropriate by sending a problem report to the [email protected].

Fill in WhatsApp Support field

Users simply create a report with a phone number when used for a WhatsApp account, as well as a detailed timeline with additional evidence such as account screenshots and troubles experienced.

After creating a report, WhatsApp will deactivate the account or deactivated the account. In about 24 hours you can re-activate your WhatsApp account.

"We will be able to retrieve our account because the verification code will be sent only via SMS to the registered Whatsapp number," Vaksincom Cybersecurity practitioner, Alfons Tanujaya, told VOI.

This way, users can immediately take ownership of the hacked WhatsApp account. OTP numbers in the SMS usually also contain links that users can directly click to verify. Once you have successfully logged in, your WhatsApp account will return to the rightful owner.

It's important to provide more additional protection so that WhatsApp doesn't move to hackers. One of them is by enabling the two-step verification feature.

When activating two-step verification, WhatsApp users will be asked to enter a six-digit PIN for registration. The secret PIN on two-step verification serves as an access key if at any time the user changes phones.

"It's also important to avoid hacking cases by periodically updating passwords and enabling additional protection," Alfons added.