The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a public warning regarding a surge in WhatsApp account hacks, with a particular emphasis on women's accounts being targeted.

According to the FIA spokesperson, cybercriminals are employing sophisticated techniques such as phishing and social engineering to gain unauthorized access to users' personal information.

In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable increase in reports of WhatsApp accounts being compromised. The attackers exploit the hijacked accounts by accessing personal chats, photos, and videos, which are then used for blackmail and exploitation purposes.

Phishing tactics employed by these cybercriminals often involve deceptive messages designed to trick users into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. Social engineering techniques further facilitate unauthorized access, with female users being disproportionately affected by these attacks.

The FIA has provided several recommendations to safeguard WhatsApp accounts from such intrusions:

1. Enable two-step verification: This security feature adds an extra layer of protection, helping to prevent unauthorized access to your account.
2. Exercise caution with unfamiliar messages: Avoid opening messages, photos, videos, or files from unknown or suspicious numbers, as they may contain harmful links or malware.
3. Regularly update privacy settings: Reviewing and updating your WhatsApp privacy settings can help limit the accessibility of your personal information.

In the unfortunate event that your WhatsApp account is hacked, the FIA advises taking the following immediate actions:

1. Contact FIA helpline 1991: Report the incident or visit the nearest FIA cybercrime circle for assistance.
2. Reach out to WhatsApp support: Contact WhatsApp Help to regain control of your account and secure it against further unauthorized access.
3. Inform your contacts: Notify close friends, family members, and colleagues about the hack to prevent any potential misuse of your account for fraudulent activities.