Can Snapchat be Hacked? [Prevention Guide]
Hacking has been on a rise in recent years
- Over the years, thousands of Snapchat users lost access to their accounts due to hacking attempts.
- While Snapchat is taking measures to enhance security, there'a lot to be done at the user's end.
- You can't altogether eliminate the possibility of hacking but you can certainly prevent it.
Snapchat is a popular instant messaging and social networking platform. It was the first to introduce the concept of stories (content that would last for a day) and was an instant hit amongst the masses. The growing popularity led to the question, can Snapchat be hacked?
Hacking, though illegal and immoral, has witnessed a tremendous increase in the last couple of years. The primary reason is users are casual with the preventive measures. And the most common concern amongst users is, can Snapchat be hacked by adding someone?
The following sections will explore all possible situations and scenarios and offer tips to keep your Snapchat account safe.
Can hackers get into your Snapchat?
Yes, it’s possible to hack into someone’s Snapchat account, and it’s not as difficult as many would imagine. Thousands of users across the globe lose access to their accounts due to hacking every day.
As technology advances, hacking into a Snapchat account has become easier. Though the instant messaging platform keeps an eye out for exploitable loopholes, the number of victims is rising.
Here are a few ways your Snapchat account can be hacked:
- Malware or virus: Hackers create viruses and malware that can record the screen, identify and collect data, including login information, and access the microphone and webcam. This makes it easier to find out someone’s login credentials.
- Data leaks: Third-party applications often collect data, and when their servers are hacked into, Snapchat credentials, too, become available. We have had instances where critical data from these leaks was put up for sale on the dark web.
- Phishing: This is a technique where you receive an unsuspecting link that redirects to a webpage that looks identical to the actual login page. And when you enter the sign-in credentials, it gets into the wrong hands.
- Using a public Wi-Fi: One of the most common and often unthinkable ways of hacking into Snapchat is via public Wi-Fi. Hackers often find vulnerabilities in the network and exploit these to collect information from connected devices.
- Employing brute force attack: In a brute force attack, hackers use sophisticated tools that try out thousands of different password combinations until the correct one is identified. Honestly, you can’t prevent these, but it can make the task much more difficult.
How do I protect my Snapchat account?
1. Create stronger passwords
Hacking into a Snapchat account, or any account for that matter isn’t difficult for hackers. They know countless ways to exploit vulnerabilities, collect login credentials or use advanced tools.
The simplest way to beat a hacking attempt is to create a strong password, preferably a combination of upper case, lower case, special characters, and numbers. Avoid using simple passwords like abcd, 1234, your name, or a family member’s.
Let’s illustrate how this helps. In the case of Brute Force attacks, the tool starts with the commonly used passwords and then moves to the complex combinations. The trickier the password, the more difficult it would be to identify. And there is a good chance that you can beat this attempt!
2. Never click on unreliable links
A common practice amongst hackers is to gain access to one account and then use it to send a link to other users added to it. So, even when you receive a link from someone you know, make sure to verify that the sender’s account is not hacked.
The best approach is to avoid clicking on all links you are unsure of when logged into a Snapchat account. This way, you can prevent your Snapchat account from being hacked.
3. Only download apps from the dedicated store
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Apps collect data all the time, even when you are not actively using them. The popular ones usually have a dedicated team to ensure strict adherence to all security protocols.
But many available web downloads don’t usually follow the best practices. And their database is often the first to be breached. So, when downloading apps, ensure you only get these from the App Store on iPhone or the Play Store on Android devices.
Though there’s no guarantee that it will eliminate the possibility of data leaks, the ones available in the store usually perform better regarding security and privacy.
4. Enable 2-FA
2-FA or two-factor authentication is a great way to secure your account. Of late, all major platforms offer the feature which adds an additional layer of security.
Even after providing the login credentials, users are asked to authenticate through a related app or a one-time OTP when 2-FA is enabled.
So, even if someone manages to secure the Snapchat login credentials, they won’t be able to access the account, let alone hack it. Find out more about Snapchat’s two-factor authentication on the official support website.
5. Provide accurate and up-to-date information
Providing accurate and updated contact information won’t directly prevent your Snapchat account from getting hacked. But it’s a great way to regain access to it.
Even if the hacker has changed the Snapchat password, you can use the email address or phone number to recover the account.
That’s it! These tips and tricks will help protect your Snapchat account against hacking attempts.
And for those asking, can my phone be hacked through Snapchat? That shouldn’t be the case for most. It requires a great deal of effort and resources. If a capable technology is developed, regular users shouldn’t be a victim.
Before you leave, find out how many passwords are hacked every day.
For any queries or to share more tips with us, drop a comment below.
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