Also read: WhatsApp finally testing chat history transfer between Android and iOS devices
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What is the new WhatsApp scam about?
In this new WhatsApp scam, users get a text message containing an OTP (One Time Password) on their smartphone, followed by a WhatsApp message from a friend in the contact list asking the user to share the code with them. Once the user shares the code, scammers can easily hack their WhatsApp account. This leaves the actual user logged out from their own WhatsApp account.
How to protect yourself from this WhatsApp scam
This isn’t a new trick in the books as scammers have been following a similar form of a cyberattack on other platforms as well. One of the ways to stay aware of this new WhatsApp scam is to call your friend who sends you a text on Whatsapp asking for the code and clarify with them. However, the best practice is to not share your Whatsapp verification code with anyone considering you haven’t requested it for yourself.
Separately, back in February, there were reports of a fake WhatsApp version to trick iPhone users and access their personal sensitive data. The fake version was found to be linked to an Italian surveillance firm “Cy4Gate” and was discovered by a cybersecurity research lab at the University of Toronto, Citizen Lab. This cyberattack tricked users into installing configuration files or “Mobile Device Management (MDM).” This can download malware into the targeted device easily.