This is how you protect yourself
A simple trick can hijack someone's WhatsApp account. Criminals especially use this. We explain to you how to protect your WhatsApp account from acquisition.
Watch out for suspicious issues from your own contacts! It may be a criminal. [Source: diego_cervo /depositphotos.com]
With WhatsApp, new scams keep coming, which is very dangerous for users. If you reinstall WhatsApp on your device, you must enter the phone number and verification code to start Messenger. This is why criminals use and take over account lines.
It works like this: Contacts are written from the hijacked account. You are considered to be the sender having trouble receiving the verification code. The recipient will receive the password shortly and should send it back to the person. Now the trap is coming.
You must know these secret WhatsApp features
Watch now
If you pass the code to others, they just need to log in to your account using your phone number. If you subsequently make some changes in the settings, you will not have the opportunity to visit again. Watchlist-The Internet site shows the appearance of such notifications.
"Hey! Can you help me?
You will immediately receive a text message. Can you send me the code in the email? message:
WhatsApp code XXX
You can also click this link to verify your phone: Links
Do not share this code
"
of Under no circumstances should you forward a text message with a code to the criminal. Otherwise, you will also be locked out of your account, which will become a tool for further fraud attempts. However, account takeover is not limited to criminals, you will never see them.
The whole process was even more explosive: Jake Moote, author of the wellysecurity website, took over a colleague's WhatsApp account in her experiment when she briefly took coffee. This shows how dangerous the vulnerability is if you are not careful. Because it can be used anywhere, whether in a circle of friends, in the office, or even among jealous partners.
This is how you protect yourself
Therefore, you should ensure the safety of your smartphone as much as possible. First, you can achieve this by turning off the preview function of the notification-at least for WhatsApp. You can set it in your device ’s notification settings. After that, the third party will not be able to read the verification code from your screen.
But setting up two-factor authentication in WhatsApp brings more benefits. This way, someone can try to start Messenger using the code sent. However, he or she needs the other six-digit code you designed. If it cannot be entered, the account cannot be verified.
As a further option, you can only protect yourself by carefully reading the message and accurately remembering the SMS with code. If a friend wants you to forward text messages, you should contact him by other means. According to watchlists on the Internet, in some known cases, criminals answer questions.
If a friend has contacted you through this message, you should also inform him about the possible account hacking in other ways. Tips on WhatsApp for users with stolen accounts on how to retrieve stolen accounts.
