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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Technology
Anthony Cuthbertson

Hackers are hijacking WhatsApp accounts through ‘snowballing’ scam

WhatsApp Avast United States
The logo of US instant messaging software Whatsapp displayed on a smartphone's screen, in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on 1 December, 2025 - (AFP via Getty Images)

Hackers have figured out how to hijack WhatsApp accounts without cracking the messaging app’s encryption, security researchers have warned.

The so-called GhostPairing scam takes advantage of legitimate features in order to trick WhatsApp users into linking their account to a device controlled by an attacker, giving them real-time access to messages, photos, videos and voice notes.

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