Even messages that seem to come from friends or relatives can be a terrible trap. 1 Regardless of the device you use, security in WhatsApp is very importantCredit: Meta / WhatsApp Therefore, you need to be careful whoever asks for personal information. We spoke with cyber experts who revealed the signs of a WhatsApp scam. And texts from unknown numbers can be one of the biggest clues. “Fraud messages often come from unknown numbers. If you keep a neat contact list, it will be easier to detect,” Brian Higgins, a security expert at Comparitech, told the Sun. “They are also disguised as official messages, offering technical support for solving problems you probably did not know you had, for example, or telling you you won an award. “Always make sure you use the most up-to-date version of any platform and you can safely delete the first one. “So think how many times in your life you have won an award for no reason at all and you can get rid of the second. “Try to think before you click and do not let FOMO scare you with the ‘delete’ button. It’s the best way to stay safe.” If you are a regular WhatsApp user, you need to be vigilant. WhatsApp has more than 2 billion users, so it is often the target of scammers. We spoke with cyber expert Tom Davidson to get his top three tips for detecting fraud on Meta’s WhatsApp. See what Tom, senior director of security company Lookout, told the Sun …
The three warnings of Tom’s WhatsApp
Here’s what to look out for: Indication # 1 Messages from unfamiliar contacts that try to make you interact, especially if the spelling or grammar seems vague. The same goes for messages from familiar contacts that sound different from the usual. Indication # 2 Messages with unsolicited offers such as free gifts, prize drawers or discounts, even if they appear to come from a reputable brand and especially if you are asked to submit personal information. Indication # 3 Messages that include clickable links that you did not expect to receive. To be on the safe side, you can manually enter the link in another browser. Intruders can use special characters in the message to disguise a malicious link that looks at first glance like a familiar or trusted site.
Staying safe on WhatsApp
There are some other basic safety tips you can take advantage of. The first is to make sure you keep your phone and applications up to date with the latest software patches. These updates often include important security fixes that eliminate bugs used by hackers to attack your device. And you should also generally be wary of anyone asking for personal information (such as credit card information or login codes), even if the text appears to come from a friend. If a hacker accesses your WhatsApp account, you can track them down by logging in again.
The best tips and advice for phones and gadgets
Looking for tips and tricks for your phone? Want to find these secret features in social media apps? We have covered you … Selected image credit: WhatsApp / Unsplash / The Sun. We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for the Sun Online Technology & Science team? Email us at [email protected]
