WhatsApp is a primary target for crooks – so detecting the warning signs of a dangerous text can help you stay safe.
Even messages that seem to come from friends or family can be a creepy trap.
So you need to take care of everyone who asks for privacy.
We spoke to cyber experts who revealed the revealing signs of a WhatsApp scam.
And lyrics from unknown tracks can be one of the biggest tracks.
“Fraud messages often come from unknown numbers. If you keep a neat contact list, they will be easier to spot,” Brian Higgins, a security specialist at Comparitech, told The Sun.
“They also disguise themselves as official messages, offer technical support to solve problems you probably did not know you had, for example, or tell you that you have won a prize.
“Always make sure you are running the most up-to-date version of any platform and you can safely delete the first one.
So think about how many times in your life you have won one prize for no reason at all and you can also get rid of the other.
“Try to think twice before you click, and don’t let FOMO scare you away from the ‘delete’ button. It’s your best way to be sure.”
If you are a regular WhatsApp user, you need to be on high alert.
WhatsApp has more than 2 billion users, so it is often targeted by crooks.
We spoke with cyber expert Tom Davidson to get his three best tips for spotting scams on Meta-owned WhatsApp.
Here’s what Tom, a senior executive at security firm Lookout, told The Sun …
Tom’s three WhatsApp alerts
Here’s what to look for:
Clues # 1
Messages coming from unknown contacts that try to get you to interact, especially if the spelling or grammar is incorrect.
The same goes for messages from known contacts that sound different than usual.
Clues # 2
Messages with unsolicited offers such as free giveaways, prize drawers or discounts, even if they appear to come from a reputable brand, and especially if they ask you to submit personal information.
Clues # 3
All messages that contain clickable links that you did not expect to receive.
To be safe, you can manually enter the link in another browser.
Attackers can use special characters in the message to hide a malicious link that at first glance looks like a well-known or reputable site.
Stay safe on WhatsApp
There are some other important safety tips you can take advantage of.
The first is to make sure you keep your phone and apps up to date with the latest software fixes.
These updates often include important security fixes that squash bugs used by hackers to attack your device.
And you should also generally be wary of anyone who asks for personal information (such as credit card information or login codes), even if the text appears to be from a friend.
If a hacker gains access to your WhatsApp account, you can kick them out by logging in again.
This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been reproduced here with permission.