Since the start of the pandemic, WhatsApp usage has rocketed globally by more than 40 per cent; and with the increase in its popularity, cybercriminals are increasingly attacking it which is also known as ‘Whatsup phishing.’
In view of this, the State Electronics and Information Technology Department has issued an advisory cautioning citizens regarding WhatsApp phishing.
Hackers target victims via WhatsApp voice call or suspicious link on Facebook, SMS or WhatsApp. By adopting certain precautionary measures, hackers can be kept at bay without uninstalling the app, the department said.
Once a call is received or link is clicked, the device’s WhatsApp gets temporarily defaced.
Messages can then be sent from the defaced WhatsApp by the hacker to others, often asking for money or favours.
Then a message is sent to contacts of the defaced WhatsApp claiming the victim has a new contact number. A phishing call is then placed from the alleged new number.
The department asked people not to panic or uninstall WhatApp but to take certain precautions to protect themselves from cyber criminals.
The suspicious numbers from which the message or request is coming can be blocked, don’t click on suspicious links even from known people, do not respond to suspicious messages asking for money or agree to such requests and don’t receive WhatsApp voice calls from unknown numbers, the department advised.
“If you are aware that you have been hacked, broadcast a warning message to your contacts not to respond to such requests sent from your WhatsApp account” the department added.