The flagship messaging client, WhatsApp, surpassed one billion monthly active users last February. Only here, with an app that affects so many people, the risks of falling victim to a scam or virus are instantly maximized. Here are our tips for avoiding viruses, scams and scams.
- On the same subject: 10 essential tips and tricks to use WhatsApp better
10 days ago Facebook confirmed at its last F8 conference that instant messengers like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger now represent three times more messages than SMS. It is also this popularity that makes them more risky for the user, unless they embrace good practices but above all know the main scams.
Will WhatsApp be shut down? What’s next!
As ridiculous and unbelievable as it is, the joke that WhatsApp will shut down if you don’t forward the message to at least 10 of your contacts is on the rise and is among the most popular. Let’s be logical, the service Facebook took in 2014 has now reached one billion monthly active users. It is unlikely that it will be closed from there!
Your account will be closed soon
Also very common, this scam informs you that the service now has too many users and your account will most likely be closed. Most of the time a message that looks like this:
If you do not forward this message, we will consider your account invalid and will be deleted within the next 48 hours. Please do not ignore this message or WhatsApp will no longer recognize your activation.
The scammer will also warn you that if you don’t act on time, the service will charge you 20 to 30 € to reactivate your account. Well, let’s see! WhatsApp is free and that’s not about to change!
Paid messages for inactive users? Another great scam!
Do you have an account but do not use it at all or very little? If you do not prove that you are an active user by forwarding this web of lies to 10 of your connections, be sure that you will not be penalized for this and will be charged for the next messages you send. pure fraud.
Beware of fake emails and phishing!
Worse still, one of the most popular scams targeting WhatsApp users is not being offered through the app. In fact, it is simply an email sent to the user to let them know that he has it. missed a message or a voice memo within the instant messaging client and prompts them to click on a link to access it. As you can imagine, it is important not to click because you will be automatically redirected to a malicious website where all kinds of viruses and malware are waiting for you.
Classic additional paid SMS
This very common scam comes in the form of an SMS that you’ll be asked to respond to. Most of the time, the message will be: “I’m writing you on WhatsApp, let me know if you’re getting my messages”, but F-Secure has recently highlighted sexually explicit or other types of messages that suggest the reception of a call. The goal is for you to answer, except that the answer costs you a lot. SMS you send will incur additional charges..
A job that will pay off already. more than 5 million euros According to the Spanish police to its authors.
fake updates
Also very common are messages asking you to click on a link to download the latest app update. Again, this is a scam that is likely to lead you to a paid service that will increase your phone bill at the end of the month. There are two solutions to download the latest version of WhatsApp, either go to the Google Play Store or go directly to the publisher’s website.
Likewise, at the end of 2015, there was the notorious malware hiding inside WhatsApp pretending to be an update.
