In the previous blog, we discussed how to detect if your WhatsApp account has been compromised and the safeguards you can adopt to protect your account against common cyber threats.
Today, I’m going to show you a specific attack that aims to monitor and spy on your conversations without your awareness. This technique is called Ghost Pairing.
What is Ghost Pairing?
Ghost Pairing is an attack vector in which an attacker secretly links their own device to your WhatsApp account using the official Linked Devices feature. Their intention is not to fully take over your account but to let you continue using it normally while they:
- Read all messages you send and receive
- Access your photos, videos, and documents
- Impersonate you by sending messages to your contacts
Sounds scary, right?
How Ghost Pairing Works
WhatsApp allows one account to be linked to up to four devices. Ghost pairing abuses this design. The attack does not target WhatsApp’s encryption or internal security. Instead, it targets the user, exploiting human behavior to grant unauthorized access.
There are two common scenarios in which this attack can occur:
Physical Access
If you leave your phone unlocked and unattended, an attacker can take advantage of that moment to link your WhatsApp account to their own device.
No verification SMS is sent
You are not logged out of your account
The attacker can dismiss the push notification WhatsApp sends for new linked devices
Remote access
In this scenario, the attacker gains access without physically handling your phone. This usually involves social engineering techniques designed to trick you into revealing information:
The attacker convinces you to share the WhatsApp verification code you received via SMS. (Reminder: never share this code with anyone.)
The attacker impersonates one of your contacts and attempts to trick you into providing the verification code or visiting a malicious link
You visit a seemingly innocent website that claims you must verify your phone to view content, but in the background it collects your verification code
Why It’s Dangerous
Ghost pairing is especially risky because:
- No obvious takeover – your account still works
- Real-time spying – messages sync instantly
- Persistent access – stays active until manually removed
- Perfect for scams – attackers can impersonate you
- No advanced skills needed - attackers simply exploits an official WhatsApp feature
Common Signs of Ghost Pairing
Be alert for these warning signs:
- A linked device you don’t recognize under Settings → Linked Devices
- Messages marked as “read” when you didn’t open them
- Contacts receiving messages you don’t remember sending
- Unusual activity times in Last Seen
How to Protect Yourself
The good news is ghost pairing is easy to prevent if you follow basic security practices:
- Lock your phone (PIN, biometrics, auto-lock) and don't leave it unattanded
- Regularly check Linked Devices and remove any unfamiliar ones
- Enable notifications for new linked devices
- Enable two-step verification (2FA) for your WhatsApp account
If you found this article helpful, share it with your friends and family to help them stay informed and protected. Remember: security is everyone’s responsibility.
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