New WhatsApp image scam: Fraudsters can steal data, OTPs; how to stay safe
A new type of WhatsApp scam is becoming increasingly popular around the world, with people losing large sums of money after falling victim to them.
This, however, isn't the first time that scammers are using WhatsApp to target people. Fraudsters have time and again used the social media messaging platform to dupe people by offering them jobs.
This time, the scam is not as easily identifiable as most others. Recently, a man in India lost Rs200,000 after he simply downloaded an image from an unknown number.
Fraudsters have been sending images embedded with malware to others on the application, making victims susceptible to losing personal information. The malware can give hackers access to your phone — allowing them to remotely access your device and even letting them steal sensitive personal data.
WhatsApp is fast but becoming a favorite for scammers. Recently, victims have been losing thousands at the hands of rapidly developing WhatsApp scams.
Scammers have always targeted users on the platform through fake job offers and WhatsApp scams. It isn’t the first time frauds have been committed using WhatsApp.
Everything was going well until an Indian citizen lost 200,000 rupees all because they foolishly downloaded an image linked to their phone by an unknown contact.
People with fraudulent intentions have been sending malicious images through the application to get users addicted to willingly handing bits and bytes of personal data. This malware allows for total control of the used phone giving hackers free access for vital information, aidinaly to remote control over the phone’s gateway.
How you can stay safe
While being vigilant and on the lookout for such frauds is the most obvious; here are some steps you can take to stay safe from this scam:
These methods hold the most value as far as staying away from falling victim to smartphone scams. Let’s see some.
Switch off automatic photo download:
Initiating the disabling option is a much better option since on manual selection users are able to select images they actually would like to be downloaded.
Don't open messages from unknown numbers:
If you get a WhatsApp message from an unfamiliar number, it is advisable not to respond or click on any attachments sent.
Keep updating your phone:
In order to maintain the security of your phone, ensure that you have the latest version of software on your phone.
Install a reliable anti-virus:
If your phone is at risk of getting viruses and malware, make sure you have a good anti-virus application for your phone to prevent any hacking attempts.
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