TikTok adds more excitement to the already fun-filled social media space. The app offers you the opportunity to be a spectator, performer, or even both. But it’s all fun and games on TikTok until your account gets hacked. If you're not careful, you could compromise your security on the platform. So, how can hackers get into your TikTok account? What can you do to keep them at arm's length? Let's take a look.
How Can Cybercriminals Hack Your TikTok Account?
Cyberattackers are constantly looking for the goldmine. And with social media, it’s all about trends. So, as TikTok continues to create a buzz across the globe, attackers are naturally attracted to it. How exactly can cybercriminals hack your TikTok account? Let’s find out.
1. Using Malware
Malware is one of the most common methods that attackers use to break into social media accounts including TikTok. It involves the use of malicious software to encrypt files on your device. Your device gets bugged with a virus, rendering it unusable. If the attackers are after money, they may proceed to demand a ransom from you before restoring your account. But there is no guarantee that your account will be restored even if you pay up.
Cybercriminals put up a front with their malware attacks. They lure you into clicking pop-up messages or links. If you fall for the bait, they gain access to your device.
2. Leveraging Weak Passwords
There is a reason why generating strong passwords is strongly recommended when opening accounts online—they can’t be easily figured out. With plenty of time on their hands, hackers embark on a brute force attack which is more or less a guessing game to get your password.
Unfortunately, they have upped their game in figuring out the most complex passwords. Their antics include the use of malicious software to infiltrate your system and retrieve your password. Once you open an encrypted file or link, your password is compromised.
3. Hacking Third-Party Apps
Integrating third-party apps on your device is common practice for convenience. However, it has a downside that allows attackers to hack your account. Instead of targeting your account in particular, cybercriminals target the third-party app.
When they hack the app, they gain unauthorized access to the passwords of its users, including yours. With your TikTok password at their disposal, hacking your account is easy.
How to Know If Your TikTok Account Has Been Hacked
Finding out that your TikTok account has been hacked can be devastating. Apart from not being able to use your account for fun activities, you are concerned that the hacker could access your personal information and use it for malicious activities.
Although the deed has been done, finding out on time that your account has been hacked could help you mitigate whatever damage the attackers could want to cause. If you notice any of the following suspicious activities regarding your TikTok account, there is a high chance that it has been hacked.
1. Change of Account Password
Did you receive a message that your account password has been changed? Or are you trying to log in to your account but your password is incorrect? If you didn’t change your password, it was possibly changed by attackers.
2. Change of Phone Number
Cyberattackers are quick to replace the phone number of your TikTok account with theirs so that they’ll have total control of the account. If your phone number suddenly becomes invalid, it’s likely because it’s been removed from your account by attackers.
3. Change of Username
If the username you chose for your account gets changed without your authorization, it’s a strong indication that your account has gotten into the wrong hands. TikTok wouldn’t change your username, so who could have done it? You know the answer.
4. Strange Messages Sent From Your Account
Did your friends or followers tell you about receiving messages from you, but you know that you didn’t send those messages? Since you can only send messages from an account when you have access to it, it means that hackers are probably to blame.
5. Deletion of Your Videos
Are your videos being deleted without your authorization? If you are sure that you didn’t give anyone your account log-in details, there is a chance that hackers have forcefully gained access to your account.
How to Prevent Cyberattackers From Hacking Your TikTok Account
Since cyberattackers won't think twice about breaking into your TikTok account if you let them, you have to take measures to prevent them from getting in. Don’t allow them to ruin your fun on the app. Below are three ways you can stop cyberattackers from hacking your TikTok account.
1. Use a Very Strong Password
As mentioned earlier, hackers have made it their day job to guess your password on TikTok. Make it difficult for them by using a hard-to-guess password. Consider using a password that is no fewer than 12 characters long.
Don’t use only letters. Add numerals and special characters such as &, %, #, and so on. Combine uppercase letters with lowercase letters. Additionally, you can also use password phrases.
2. Don’t Reuse Your Passwords
Having a unique password for every account could make remembering all your passwords difficult, but it's highly recommended if you want to prevent cyberattacks.
When you have a single password for multiple accounts, you make it easy for attackers to hack your TikTok account.
If they are able to carry out a security breach and retrieve your password for a particular account, they proceed to use it for your TikTok account. And if you've used the same one, it might well be game over.
3. Activate the Log In With Verification Feature
The Log In With Verification feature is a security measure created by TikTok to strengthen the app’s security. It requires you to provide your phone number to activate the feature. TikTok generates and sends a one-time password (OTP) to your phone as a message every time you want to sign in. Anyone trying to sign in to your account must enter the correct OTP to gain access.
Protect Your Interests by Securing Your TikTok Account
Losing your TikTok account to cyberattackers can affect you more than you can imagine. If you are one of the famous ones on the app with a huge following, you are going to lose it.
All the work that you put into growing your followers will go to waste. If you are a regular user who can’t get enough of the thousands of hilarious content on the platform, you’ll be missing out on all of the fun.
Why let cyberattackers ruin the fun for you when you can protect your account beforehand?