WhatsApp is a prime target for scammers – so seeing 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 sinister trap.
So you should watch out for anyone who asks for personal information.
We spoke to cyber experts who revealed the tell-tale signs of a WhatsApp scam.
And lyrics from unknown songs can be one of the biggest clues.
“Scam messages often come from unknown numbers. Keeping a tidy list of contacts makes them easier to spot,” Brian Higgins, a security specialist at Comparitech, told The Sun.
“They also disguise themselves as official messages, for example offering technical support to solve problems you probably didn’t know you had, or telling you you won a prize.
“Always make sure you’re using the most up-to-date version of a platform and that you can remove the former with confidence.
“Think about how many times in your life you’ve won one prize for no reason at all and you could lose the second one too.
“Try to think before you click and don’t let FOMO put you off the ‘delete’ button. It’s your best way to stay safe.”
If you are a regular WhatsApp user, you should be alert.
WhatsApp has more than 2 billion users, so it is often targeted by scammers.
We spoke to cyber expert Tom Davidson to get his top three 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 out for:
Clue #1
Messages from unknown contacts trying to get you to communicate, especially if the spelling or grammar is wrong.
The same goes for messages from known contacts that sound different than usual.
Clue #2
Messages containing unsolicited offers such as free giveaways, awards, or discounts, even if they appear to be from a reputable brand and especially if they ask you for personal information.
Clue #3
Any messages containing clickable links that you did not expect to receive.
To be on the safe side, you can manually type 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 security tips that you can take advantage of.
The first is to make sure you keep your phone and apps up to date with the latest software patches.
These updates often contain important security fixes that crush bugs used by hackers to attack your device.
And you should also generally be wary of anyone asking for personal information (like credit card details or login codes), even if the text appears to be coming 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 is reproduced here with permission.
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