Are You Being Spied On in WhatsApp? 5 Tips to Identify It and Protect Yourself.

The protection of privacy on WhatsApp is crucial for safeguarding our conversations, images, and videos from potential intrusions. Although this well-known messaging app has robust security measures, no system is completely secure. Therefore, it is vital to recognize the signs that someone might be trying to access your WhatsApp account and to take timely action. Below are five essential strategies to identify if someone is monitoring your chats and to prevent this from continuing.

1. Check Active Sessions on WhatsApp Web
   WhatsApp Web is a handy tool, but it can also be exploited by malicious individuals. Someone who has access to your phone could link your account to a browser and follow your conversations behind your back. To verify this, follow these steps:

   • Open WhatsApp on your mobile device.
   • Access the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select "Linked Devices."
   • Review the active sessions and log out of any unknown ones. It is advisable to perform this check regularly, especially if you have lost your phone or if it has been unattended.

2. Monitor Your Phone’s Battery and Data Usage
   If you notice that your device's battery drains faster than usual or that mobile data usage increases without apparent reason, you may be dealing with spy software running in the background. Such applications can collect information without your knowledge. To detect suspicious activity:

   • Go to "Settings" > "Battery" and check which apps consume the most power. Pay close attention to those you do not recognize.
   • Navigate to "Settings" > "Connections" > "Data Usage" and review the traffic generated by each app, looking for unusual patterns or unknown applications. If you identify suspicious apps, investigate their origin and uninstall them if they are unnecessary. You might also consider running a security scan with reliable software.

3. Verify App Permissions
   Some apps may request unnecessary permissions that allow them to access personal data, including WhatsApp messages. To protect yourself, it is advisable to review the permissions of each app on your device:

   • Go to "Settings" > "Apps."
   • Check the permissions for each app, paying attention to those you do not recognize.
   • Revoke permissions that are not essential, such as access to messages or storage, and keep only apps from trusted and official sources.

4. Enable Two-Step Verification on WhatsApp
   Two-step verification is a crucial security feature. This option requires a six-digit PIN whenever someone tries to register your account on a new device, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access. To activate it:

   • Open WhatsApp and access the three-dot menu. Select "Settings" > "Account" > "Two-Step Verification."
   • Enable the feature and enter a six-digit PIN.
   • Add a recovery email in case you forget the PIN. This setting is key to maintaining your privacy.

5. Pay Attention to Security Notifications
   WhatsApp sends alerts if someone tries to register your account on another device. If you receive a request for a verification code that you did not request, it could be an intrusion attempt. In such cases:

   • Do not share your verification code with anyone, even if they seem familiar.
   • Contact WhatsApp support if you suspect strange activities. Also, consider enabling additional alerts regarding changes in encryption settings to stay informed.

In addition to these tips, it’s advisable to adopt general security measures: lock your phone with a PIN or biometric data to prevent physical access, avoid using public Wi-Fi networks to transmit sensitive information, and consider changing your WhatsApp number if you think your conversations have been compromised. Security on WhatsApp depends not only on the measures provided by the platform but also on your behavior and digital habits. Stay alert, apply these tips, and protect your conversations from spying attempts.