We can say that WhatsApp is a platform that hackers use quite a lot to try to reach their victims. Because it is so widely used, the probability of someone making a mistake increases. One problem is misinformation. Basically, these are messages that seek to attract the attention of users and can be a major problem, since they are actually malicious.
Although misinformation can also reach us through social networks, through platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp is more accessible and therefore can be a bigger problem. Cybercriminals will have an opportunity to launch their attacks there, although we can always take preventive measures.
Why is it a danger?
One clear problem with misinformation on WhatsApp is that it could lead you to a fraudulent link, which takes you to a fake website. For example, they could send you a message with a supposed news story that is actually a scam. When you click on that link, you will end up on a page created just to attack. They could sneak in some malware, take you to a phishing site, etc.
Another problem is that they might trick you into thinking something that isn’t true. For example, it could be a viral message reporting a problem with WhatsApp itself, a social network, or similar. They’ll ask you to provide certain data or carry out some action, which could even be installing a fraudulent update or changing your password and, without realizing it, sending your current one to a server controlled by the attackers.
One factor to take into account is that it has a great multiplier effect. That is, any disinformation message could reach many people in a short time. This happens because it could reach many groups and people could share it with other people, thus forming an ever-growing snowball.
But, without a doubt, the main danger is that it may come from a contact you trust. It could be a family member or a friend, for example. And be careful, it does not really mean that that person is sending you that message, since they may have previously been the victim of an attack and have been sending that misinformation to all their contacts, without knowing it.
How to avoid problems
So what can you do to protect yourself and avoid problems like this? The most important thing is, without a doubt, common sense. Hackers, through misinformation, will need you to make a mistake. Therefore, it is up to you to protect yourself and not get into trouble. Just don’t fall into the trap. If in doubt, it is best not to open a link or download a file.
If you receive a suspicious message or information from a contact, it is important to tell them. They may not be aware of the problem and that will cause them to send messages to other people who could fall into the trap. Breaking the chain of transmission as soon as possible is key. Acting on fake messages on WhatsApp is key.
On the other hand, keeping your devices well protected will help you avoid security problems. Here we can mention the importance of having the latest versions, with security patches installed. It is also important to have security programs that help you detect threats.
In short, be very careful with misinformation messages on WhatsApp. Beyond being a nuisance, they can also cause a problem for security and privacy. They could contain links that carry viruses or serve as a phishing attack.
