Hackers can use WhatsApp to launch attacks. It is a widely used platform and it is easy to reach many potential victims. A simple message can lead to the theft of passwords or the introduction of malware. Therefore, in this article we are going to talk about what you should do whenever you receive a false, suspicious message or when you see that it is really dangerous.
You will not always receive fake messages on WhatsApp from unknown contacts. In many cases, it will also be friends or family members who send you these dangerous messages. It does not mean that they do it willingly, but that they have previously been victims of a scam. There you will also be able to act.
What to do when faced with a dangerous message
It must be taken into account that cybercriminals can use very varied strategies. They could send you a message alerting you of a supposed problem, talking about a supposed offer, some benefit you can obtain, etc. They seek to get your attention and, in this way, get you to do something.
never reply
The first thing you should do is never respond to messages of this type. In many cases, what hackers are looking for is to verify that there is an active user, that you respond to those messages and thus be able to continue with the scam. It can be a first bait to later obtain more data.
If you receive a message that looks like a scam, from a strange number, it is best to ignore it and delete that message. Don’t share it, or interact in any way, even if you think nothing is going to happen.
Do not open links
Of course, you should not open links that may have that message. It could be a Phishing attack, so they are going to try to get you to enter a web page and steal your data or passwords. They can sneak you a link that impersonates Amazon, Google, Netflix or any other popular Internet platform.
Although you can always analyze links, generally these types of links will be quite visible. It can be a shortened link, have a strange URL, a domain that is too long, etc.
Block sender
The next thing you should do is simply block that sender. If it is a strange number, that has simply contacted you to invest money, install an application to obtain something or anything that you see that is clearly a scam, you can block it and avoid future problems.
You should do the same in case you have been added to a group that could be a danger. In fact, we recommend that you configure your WhatsApp so that those who are not your contacts cannot add you. You will avoid many problems.
Inform if it is a contact
If this message was sent by a contact of yours, someone you trust, it is best to notify them as soon as possible. It could be a family member, a friend, a co-worker… Generally, they are messages that are sent massively and automatically to all their contacts, with some type of scam.
It does not mean that that person is sending it, but it may be malware that sends it automatically. It may even be that they simply think that message is real and pass it on to you so that you can download something and obtain some benefit.
Therefore, this is what you should do in case you come across a false or dangerous message on WhatsApp. It is important to act correctly and maintain the security of the device, in addition to not affecting third parties.
