Users of WhatsApp are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to three new guidelines to safeguard their accounts. Action Fraud experts have observed a significant increase in instances of WhatsApp takeovers, where cybercriminals gain access to accounts and send deceptive messages to contacts. In some cases, the genuine account holder is locked out, preventing them from warning others about the breach.
Typically, these attacks commence with a request for the account’s activation code, which is then exploited to gain unauthorized access.
Action Fraud is now providing crucial guidance and three essential rules to prevent falling victim to such incidents.
In a post on Twitter, Action Fraud emphasized the importance of securing WhatsApp accounts against hackers, highlighting the escalating reports of account takeovers. They stress the necessity of verifying WhatsApp accounts and enabling two-step verification to prevent unauthorized logins. This security feature ensures that no one can access the account without verification on a secondary device, enabling users to promptly identify and thwart unauthorized login attempts.
To enable two-step verification, users can simply navigate to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable within the WhatsApp application.
Furthermore, it is crucial to remember not to share any code sent to your phone. Action Fraud warns against disclosing the account’s activation code received via SMS, as cybercriminals can misuse it to gain access and send fraudulent messages.
Lastly, Action advises users to adopt a cautious approach by verifying any unusual requests from family or friends on WhatsApp. They stress the importance of confirming the identity of the sender, especially in light of the prevalent “Hi mum” scam aimed at extorting money from unsuspecting individuals.
Reports suggest that significant sums of money have already been lost to online scammers who exploit emergency scenarios to deceive victims.
WhatsApp users are urged to remain vigilant, ensure their app is up to date, and prioritize security measures to mitigate risks.