WhatsApp warns its users to check their settings and make a very simple change – here is what you need to do today. Share this information with your friends!
Beware of all WhatsApp users: a very convincing scam has resurfaced for a few weeks! Fans of the messaging application are again targeted by the formidable “six -digit text”. This scam is not new, the pirates who have already used it in the past to try to access the devices and personal data stored on them. If you have never heard of this threat before, it is easy to understand how people are fooled.
The scam begins when you receive a message from a real friend seeming to start a normal conversation with you. At the same time, a six -digit code suddenly appears on your device. At that time, the friend will say that the code was sent by mistake to your device and ask you to send it to him.
If that happens to you, stop and end the conversation immediately. It is almost certain that the friend who sends you the message has already been hacked and that you will be the next one if you send the code. The scam works because WhatsApp does not allow a new device to access an account without verification via this six -digit code generated randomly. These are the numbers that hackers need to access your WhatsApp account.
As soon as you send them the code, WhatsApp thinks that this is a legitimate attempt to connect to your account and activate the discussion on the pirate smartphone. For your contacts, online crooks are now you and can continue to send texts to your WhatsApp conversations or in group discussions.
Using this method, criminals could also target your friends and family by asking them for money via PayPal links. Users often find themselves blocked on their own WhatsApp account for hours, which makes it difficult to prevent targeted people.
Here are the essential tips that all WhatsApp users should know to avoid becoming the victim of this attack. What should you do
- Activate the verification in two steps to add an additional protective layer to your account: Press Settings> Account> two -step verification> Activate.
- Make your profile photo visible only by your contacts. Press Settings> Account> Confidentiality> Profile photo> Then change for my contacts.
- Think. Call. If a family member or a friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.
- Never share the activation code for your account (that is, the 6-digit code you receive by SMS)
- You can report unwanted messages or block a sender in WhatsApp. Press and hold the message bubble, select “report” and follow the instructions.
The main reason to hide your face is undoubtedly the formidable scam “The friend in need”. In this case, the pirate pretends to be a loved one and asks for a transfer of money by claiming to have lost or had his phone and wallet steal.