WhatsApp scam: There are almost five billion people who have access to the internet today† Most of these people use social networks on a daily basis without worrying too much about the personal data they share. A godsend for the many hackers who want to scam the most gullible. The DNSC gives some recommendations to avoid disappointment†
A scam campaign on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the platforms of most used email in the world. Recently, a new scam that aims to trick its users into the application has been circulating. This fraud occurs in the form of a false message sent to subscribers.
According to the specialized media, the disastrous consequences for the victims. The National Cyber Security Directorate also calls for our vigilance in the light of this new threat.
If you receive a message congratulating you on landing a job you didn’t apply for, beware. For many victims, the scam started with a message like this:
“Bye! You have been selected for a part-time/full-time job. Daily salary 50 euros – 200 euros, work is accepted”
This job offer is not one. According to the authorities this is a trap. Clicking on the given link will open the doors of your browser and device to malicious parties. The authorities are taking this threat seriously and are informing social network users.
Advice from the National Cyber Security Directorate (DNSC)
The National Cybersecurity Directorate (DNSC) urges internet users to be vigilant about suspicious messages they may receive. They have also launched an information campaign to advise everyone on how to deal with this type of scam. The DNSC points out that, in most cases, cyber criminals take advantage of the naivety and curiosity of Internet users.
Not all specialists have stop repeating. we have to do pay close attention to the data we share on the internet. Some scams take the form of signing up or opening an account to take advantage of an offer. They will ask you to invite other people in exchange for a discount. Others will even offer you to invest in cryptocurrency.
DNSC Recommendations
It has also happened that WhatsApp users have received an email stating that they have received a voicemail. Except that the victim does not have to open the application to listen to it.
He is offered to click on a link that supposedly goes faster. After clicking the link, the user allows a Trojan horse to enter your device. It also opens the door to lots of ads sourced from unorthodox sites.
Here are the DNSC recommendations:
- Never give your password, your identification information, your identification information or your banking information to any site or to any person you ask. The purpose of these messages is primarily to take money from you.
- Make sure to always update your WhatsApp application. If you have the latest version of your applications, the latest update of your phone and your internet browser, you have the latest security patches.
- Keep in mind that tempting offers are the main tools used as bait by hackers and cyber criminals.
- Do not respond to ambiguous messages from unknown numbers. Beware of people asking you for personal confidential information.
- Check your privacy settings. Update it when you welcome a new contact.
- Control the content you share. Whether it’s your photos or your status updates, make sure there’s nothing too personal in your posts.
Finally, vigilance is advised when dealing with “exceptional offers”. View the details of the ad, pay close attention to the text. If you notice a noticeable lack of diacritics, it doesn’t bode well. It must be said that the majority of the texts are written in the native language of the cybercriminal.
They are automatically translated by a tool computer in several languages to reach a wide range of victims in many countries. Watch out for errors in grammar, syntax, or expression.
