Can Viber be Hacked? [Prevention Guide]
Viber isn't as safe but should you be concerned
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Key notes
- Though a popular instant messaging platform, Viber has been in the news for breaches.
- The company denied all reports of compromised user data, but many Viber accounts have been hacked.
- With no end to the problem, users must take preventive measures to keep their Viber accounts safe.
Viber is a popular instant messaging and VoIP platform which falls under the same category as WhatsApp. Though the former never really became a significant market player, its user base has steadily increased. But can Viber be hacked?
This question has troubled Viber users for a long time. And given the overreliance on a platform with over a billion registered users, questions will be raised on the safety and security aspects of Viber. Keep reading to find out all about it!
Is Viber safe?
We have had a few instances where users claimed that their Viber accounts were hacked or news portals publishing stories along the same lines. But, Viber denied these news reports through a tweet back in 2022.
Yet, we all know how companies initially take an aggressive stand regarding hacking reports, only to set up inquiries later on to verify the facts.
Coming to Viber, it, like any other platform, can be hacked. Experts have managed to identify loopholes in the Viber framework, and the reports of these tests have been published online.
In 2013, the Viber Support website was also defaced by hackers after an employee fell prey to a phishing email that exposed two systems. Viber, again, claimed that the user data wasn’t compromised in the breach and was in safe hands.
Besides, as per a report published in Forbes, installing Viber renders the device vulnerable and increases the likelihood of hacking. The report lists a wide array of apps, including some of the prominent names in the market.
How do I hack Viber?
We won’t give you any ideas on hacking Viber! However, some apps claim to bypass the security framework and access Viber messages when installed on the user’s mobile phone.
This is a long shot! You will have to purchase a paid subscription; there’s no guarantee it will work. You might lose a few bucks or, even worse, get in trouble with law enforcement, given that hacking is a legal offense.
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How can I keep my Viber account safe?
1. Don’t sign into multiple devices
A simple tip to prevent your Viber account from being hacked is not to sign into every device. Limit Viber access to a single device and check all messages and multimedia on it.
The likelihood of your account being hacked, be it on any platform, is higher when the login credentials are stored on several devices. If one of these gets compromised, your data will be available to hackers!
2. Avoid using Viber on public networks
Public networks pose a major threat! Surprisingly, most users are unaware that their data and activity on a public network can be easily monitored. Besides, hackers can access their devices and steal login credentials.
Public networks, particularly those in cafes and restaurants, don’t have any advanced security protocols. Manipulating these is relatively easier; once that happens, every insecure device on the network is compromised.
If you have to access the Internet on a public network, ensure you are connected to a reliable VPN to mask critical details and activity, though it won’t help in every case.
3. Never open suspicious links
Phishing emails and links are a common trend that has emerged of late when it comes to hacking devices and accounts. Users receive a message from someone in the contact list (whose account is already hacked) with a link. These links work in two ways!
Either user will be redirected to a website that looks similar to the sign-in page, and when they enter the login credentials, it’s automatically registered in the hacker’s database.
In other cases, malware is downloaded on the device used to access the link, which can then read all the Viber messages and find the login credentials.
So, never open any links you are unsure of! If someone sends you one, contact them on another platform and verify whether they sent it or their Viber account is hacked.
4. Set up 2-FA
Viber offers 2-factor authentication to users, and it’s critical that you set it up. This way, even if the login credentials are compromised, hackers won’t be able to access your Viber account.
Every major platform now offers 2-FA, and experts call it a must in the war against cybercrime and hacking.
5. Regularly scan the device
We all have an antivirus on our PC, be it the built-in Windows Security on the Windows OS or another effective third-party solution. And these are just as critical on mobile devices!
With mobile phones becoming the primary device for many, their security becomes just as important. So, install effective security software on your phone and regularly scan the device.
If any threats are found, change the Viber login credentials and those for the other apps immediately!
With these tips and tricks, you can prevent your Viber account from being hacked. Also, you must download all Viber updates as soon as they are released because many contain patches for known bugs and vulnerabilities.
As such, you can avoid other system temporary failure errors that may creep up due to an outdated app.
Before you leave, find out all about QR codes and whether it’s possible to hack into a device using QR codes.
For any queries or to share more tips with us, comment below.
