Security Tips: How to Prevent Your Telegram Account from Being Hacked

Key Takeaway: To keep your Telegram account secure, never, ever share your personal mobile number or verification codes.

Why Sharing Screenshots Can Lead to Your Account Being Hacked?

When someone asks you for a screenshot, it might include a verification code used to log into your account. Telegram has beefed up security on its iOS app, so if a verification code is exposed in a screen recording or screenshot, it'll automatically become invalid. However, the web client and other desktop and Android versions might not have these same protections, so you need to stay on the ball.

The Account Hacking Process Explained

Step One: Snagging Your Mobile Number

Hackers usually get their hands on your mobile number in these ways:

1. Tricking You into Sharing: They might ask you to directly send your mobile number, perhaps by spinning a line about lifting private chat restrictions or similar.
2. Adding Contacts: If you don't untick the "Share My Mobile Number" option when adding a contact, hackers can then see your mobile number.

If hackers can't get your mobile number, they won't be able to proceed with the next steps.

Step Two: Logging into Your Account

Hackers will try to log into your account from their own device. Telegram will then send a verification code to the device you're currently using. This code message often contains keywords like "Login" or "give". Hackers will then ask you to search for these keywords in Telegram to find the message, and then ask you to screenshot it and send it to them. As soon as they get their hands on that code, they can try to log into your account.

Even if Telegram hides the verification code from the main screen, hackers might still ask you to open the message and screenshot it to snag the code. If you haven't enabled two-factor authentication (2FA), they'll be straight into your account. If you have enabled 2FA, they'll also need to punch in the password you set up for it.

Step Three: What Happens After They Get In

Once hackers successfully log in, here's what they might get up to:

• Boot you off your devices
• Have a stickybeak at your saved data (like passwords)
• Transfer channels and groups you've created over to their account
• Delete your account

At this point, your account will no longer be yours.

Potential Losses After Your Account is Hacked

1. Impersonate you to scam your contacts
2. Have a squiz at your private data, like your favourites and private channels
3. Transfer your groups and channels
4. Use your account to blast out ads
5. Other malicious activities

Key Security Tips

1. Never, ever share your mobile number.
2. Never, ever reveal your verification code.

Telegram Registration and Login Explained

Registration

1. For your initial sign-up, you must use the official mobile app. The verification code will be sent to your mobile.
2. If you're trying to sign up via the desktop app, the system will prompt you to register using the mobile app instead.
3. If you're trying to use a third-party app, it might prompt you to send a verification code, but you might not actually receive the SMS.

Logging In

1. When logging into an already registered account, the verification code will be sent directly to a device you're already logged into.
2. If two-factor authentication (2FA) isn't enabled, you'll log in using your 'mobile number + verification code'.
3. If 2FA is enabled, you'll log in using your 'mobile number + verification code + your 2FA password'.

By sticking to these security tips, you can effectively prevent your Telegram account from being hacked, protecting your personal privacy and information security.