---
author: "Eric Priezkalns"
published: "2016-06-15T06:00:39+00:00"
modified: "2016-06-11T20:21:18+00:00"
title: "Watch Hackers Using SS7 to Hijack Whatsapp"
permalink: "https://commsrisk.com/watch-hackers-using-ss7-to-hijack-whatsapp/"
---

# Watch Hackers Using SS7 to Hijack Whatsapp

A recent YouTube video purports to show how hackers can take control of a Whatsapp account in order to read the victim’s messages and assume their identity. Although Whatsapp benefits from relatively secure end-to-end encryption, the problem of breaking that encryption is avoided by using SS7 messages to facilitate the creation of a bogus duplicate Whatsapp account, which then takes the place of the original. The video was made by Russian security firm Positive Technologies, who have also posted a [blog](https://www.ptsecurity.com/wwa/news/57894/) explaining the techniques they use to take over Whatsapp and Telegram accounts. Watch below as they walk step-by-step through the hijacking of a Whatsapp account.

https://youtu.be/fDJ-88e\_06A