Why WhatsApp Phishing is more dangerous than you think
Hey there! Were you aware that WhatsApp phishing could expose your confidential and safeguarded messages to cybercriminals? It seems like a story from a thriller movie but it’s a fact. WhatsApp phishing is more common and more dangerous than you might think. In this blog, I will cover everything you need to know. Stay with me so you don’t miss out.
Table of contents
What Is WhatsApp Phishing?
So, what exactly is WhatsApp phishing? Picture this: You received a message on WhatsApp that looks like it’s from your bank, your friend, or a company. The message asks you to provide sensitive information like your password or financial details. Sounds suspicious, right? That’s because it is.
Phishing scams are the techniques used by scammers tricking and making you give up your personal information by pretending to be someone or something that you trust. The same way WhatsApp is a very personal and trusted platform for people, fraudsters are capitalizing on this fact as well.
Why Do Cybercriminals Target WhatsApp?
You may be wondering why WhatsApp. The application has a broad user base and passes on personal information thereby making it a major objective. Here are some reasons:
- Massive User Base: With over 2.5 billion users, WhatsApp is a prime target for scammers. It’s like fishing in a pond that’s stocked with tons of fish. Recently, a scammer targeted thousands of users with fake security alerts, just because they knew how many people use WhatsApp.
- Perceived Security: Many people think their messages are secure thanks to WhatsApp’s encryption. But here’s the catch, encryption doesn’t protect you from scams where you’re tricked into handing over your information.
- Personal Connections: WhatsApp is the application which we use to communicate with friends, relatives, and co-workers. Scammers interact with a personal touch to pass the messages as credible with the intention of deceiving.
- Ease of Access: WhatsApp has made it very convenient for people to avail information in the shortest time possible. This is a perfect opportunity for the spammers to ensure they get a hold of your sensitive information. An instance for this is a fake job offer linked with a recruitment process where the fake email asked the recipient for personal data.
5 Common WhatsApp Phishing Scams
Scammers always think of new tricks. Know the following most common WhatsApp scams to protect yourself.
#1 Missed Call Scams
Missed call scams are a trick to make you call back because you are curious or care for the individual who missed the call, and this makes you call them back and you end up being charged or downloading some malicious software. As a measure of ensuring safety do not answer calls from unknown numbers frequently.
#2 Fake Job Offers on WhatsApp
Beware of false WhatsApp job offers. They will pretend to provide you with good jobs but then ask you for personal information or money as a way to be able to offer you the job. Often these are fake and can result in identity theft or money loss. Always verify job opportunities through official websites and it’s inappropriate to share personal data with people you don’t know.
#3 Social Media Traps
Scammers may send links claiming to be from a social media site, but they can lead you to a fake login page specifically designed to steal your credentials. A user’s Facebook account was hacked after they entered their details on a fake login page linked from WhatsApp.
#4 Account Impersonation in WhatsApp Group Chats
Hackers may steal your account credentials and use them to pretend to be like you in a group conversation. They may request your friends for money or use your account to spread rumors or lies. For instance, a hacked account may ask for some money saying emergency hence creating confusion and stress among the contacts.
#5 Two-Step Verification Scams
The scammers dupe you by pretending to be WhatsApp support or using other deceptions for you to give them your two-step verification codes. This is also a technique scammers follow to hack your account and access your personal details.
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How Does a WhatsApp Phishing Scam Work?
Here’s how these scams usually happen, helping you to recognize them and stay safe.
- The Message: You get a message that seems legit, maybe it’s from your bank or a friend. It might even include an official-looking logo. Just recently, a scammer tricked people by sending fake bank notifications asking for login details.
- The Request: The message will request information such as your password or any other financial details from you. For instance, there is a familiar scam, according to which users are informed that their account is threatened and that they need to share their information promptly.
- The Trap: You may be forced to react immediately or emotionally trapped into giving your information. Imagine getting a message that says, “Your account will be deactivated if you don’t provide your details” It’s scary, but it is only a phishing message.
- The Consequence: If you fall for it, your info is stolen and used for fraud. Some users found their bank accounts drained after falling for phishing schemes that started with a seemingly innocent WhatsApp message.
Signs Your WhatsApp Account Has Been Hacked
It’s crucial to spot the signs of a hacked account. These are some indications that let you know whether your account is safe or not.
- Strange Messages: If your friends are getting fraud messages or spam from your account, something’s up. For example, a user’s contacts received spam messages asking for money, indicating the account was hacked.
- Unknown Devices: Check for any unknown devices or locations accessing your account. Recently, users noticed logins from countries they’d never visited, which was a red flag.
- Login Alerts: Keep an eye on login alerts from WhatsApp. If you get an alert about a login attempt you don’t recognize, investigate it because it’s a WhatsApp phishing attempt to hack your device.
What to Do if Your WhatsApp Account Is Hacked
If you think that your account is hacked, then act quick and follow these procedures to remain safe.
- Change Your Password: If you can log in to your account, then change your main password immediately. This will help secure your account.
- Enable Two-Step Verification: Increase security by enabling the two-step authentication in your account. This makes it necessary to have a second factor of identification which will prove difficult for fraudsters to access your account.
- Share with Your Contacts: Inform your friends and family members about the situation. This helps them to be cautious of any suspicious WhatsApp scam messages they might receive from your account.
- Contact WhatsApp Support: Contact the support service of WhatsApp and describe the issue that you faced to receive account recovery help.
- Scan for Malware: Make sure that you are not using a device that has a virus that will be used to break into your account.
Tips to Protect Yourself from WhatsApp Phishing
These are some practical tips to keep yourself safe from Phishing attacks:
1. Double-Check with a Call:
If you receive a message, which requests passwords or account details do not reply at once. Call the sender to verify whether the received request is genuine or not.
2. Be Cautious of Urgent Requests for Money:
The scammers will proactively create the impression of urgency. Don’t hurry if someone says ‘Need money ‘or ‘Give me your details’, remember to cross-check the details.
3. Report Suspicious Messages on WhatsApp:
Report spam messages on WhatsApp by using reporting feature. This aids in ensuring that the platform is always safe for its users.
4. Don’t Answer Calls from Unknown Numbers:
If you receive a WhatsApp scam calls from unknown numbers, do not pick up the calls, instead, let it go to the voicemail. Scammers like to call their victims from unknown numbers.
5. Update Your WhatsApp Privacy Settings:
Go through the privacy settings and change them so that only the desired people can view your information. This can help to minimize the chances of scams.
6. Use Two-Factor Authentication:
You should allow two-factor authentication for more security on your account. It enhances the security of your account since you are the only one who will know the password.
Conclusion
WhatsApp phishing is a real threat, yet you have the power to control it and discover how to protect yourself in advance. Every time verify suspicious inquiries, update security settings, and be careful while reading unknown messages. QOLI.AI will help you stay alert against fake WhatsApp messages. You also enable monitoring of other mobile phones to ensure that your family members are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WhatsApp Phishing? +
WhatsApp phishing is where a scammer impersonates someone you know intending to make you surrender your personal details.
How do I stop WhatsApp phishing? +
DO NOT click on any fake link, always check any request made to you personally, and always turn on two-step verification on WhatsApp.
What happens if you reply to phishing? +
Replying to phishing also gives scammers an opportunity to access and manipulate your personal details compromising your account and identity.
How to identify a scammer on WhatsApp? +
Scammers use fake numbers with unknown contacts, inquire about private data, or present offers much more attractive to be genuine.
Who do I contact if my WhatsApp is hacked? +
If your account is hacked, you must contact WhatsApp support. Inform your friends about the incident and change passwords so your account is secure.