To safeguard your Telegram account from hackers, it's essential to actively configure your privacy and security settings. While Telegram offers strong security features, many are not enabled by default. Taking a few proactive steps can significantly reduce your risk.

Here's a breakdown of the key measures you should take:

1. Enable Two-Step Verification (2SV)
This is the most critical step you can take. By default, Telegram only requires an SMS code to log in to a new device. If a hacker gains access to your SIM card (via a "SIM swap" attack) or intercepts your messages, they can easily log into your account.

Two-Step Verification (2SV), which Telegram calls "Two-Step Verification," adds a password that is required in addition to the SMS code. This means even if a hacker has the code, they can't get in without your password.


How to set it up:

Go to Settings > Privacy and Security.

Select Two-Step Verification.

Create a strong, unique password and provide a recovery email address.

2. Manage Your Active Sessions
Telegram's multi-device support is a great feature, but it can also be a security risk if you're not careful. It's important to regularly check which devices are logged into your account and terminate any that you don't recognize.

How to check and manage sessions:

Go to Settings > Devices (or Privacy and Security > Active Sessions).

You will see a list of all devices currently logged in.

If you see any unfamiliar devices, select them and choose Terminate Session. You can also terminate all other sessions with a single tap.

3. Adjust Privacy Settings
By default, some of your personal information may be visible to all Telegram users. Minimizing the data that strangers can see makes it harder for them to target you with social engineering or phishing scams.

Key settings to adjust:

Phone Number: Change "Who can see my phone number?" to "Nobody" or "My Contacts." Also, in "Who can find me by my number?", select "My Contacts."

Profile Photo: Set "Who can see my profile photo?" to "My Contacts."

Last Seen & Online: Change "Who can see my last seen time?" to "Nobody" to prevent others from tracking your activity.

Calls: Set "Who can call me?" to "My Contacts." You can also disable peer-to-peer (P2P) calls for everyone to prevent others from seeing your IP address.

Groups & Channels: Change "Who can add me to group chats?" to "My Contacts" to avoid being added to spam groups.

4. Be Cautious of Phishing and Scams
Hackers often use clever tricks to get you to compromise your own account. Stay vigilant and be aware of common scams:

Fake Support Messages: Telegram will never ask for your login code or other personal information in a direct message. Be wary of anyone claiming to be from "Telegram security" or "support."

Suspicious Links: Don't click on links from unknown sources, especially those that promise giveaways, prizes, or urgent access to something. These links often lead to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials.

QR Code Scams (Quishing): Be careful when scanning QR codes to link new devices. Always ensure you are on the official Telegram website or app and not a malicious replica.

5. Use Secret Chats for Sensitive Conversations

For highly sensitive one-on-one conversations, use Telegram's Secret Chat feature. Unlike regular chats, Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption, meaning the messages are only stored on the devices of the sender and recipient, not on Telegram's servers. They also include self-destruct timers and prevent message forwarding.



How to start a Secret Chat:

Open a contact's profile.

Tap the three-dot menu (or "More" on iOS).

Select "Start Secret Chat."

By implementing these measures, you can significantly enhance your Telegram account's security and protect yourself from common hacking attempts.