Account Takeover: Recovering from a WhatsApp or Social Media Hack

Cyraacs10 Mar, 2025Technology

Account Takeover (ATO) is a serious cyber threat where attackers hijack your WhatsApp or social media accounts, putting your personal data and privacy at risk. Understanding how these attacks happen and knowing the right recovery steps can help you regain control quickly and protect your accounts from future breaches. What is Account Takeover (ATO)? Account Takeover (ATO) is a form of cybercrime where attackers gain unauthorized access to a user’s account using stolen login credentials. These credentials are often obtained through phishing, data breaches, credential stuffing (attempting many username-password combinations), or malware. Once an attacker gains access, they can exploit the account for unauthorized purchases, identity theft, or access to other linked accounts. This can result in financial loss, reputational damage, and legal issues for the victim.