A warning has been issued by instant messaging service WhatsApp and anyone with the app should check their settings. Users with an account have been alerted of the steps they should take to stop their accounts from being targeted by cyber crooks.
WhatsApp is hugely popular across age groups so is always going to be a target for hackers. However, according to a report, there has been a resurgence of a worrying six-digit text scam, and this can give hackers full access to private chats. The firm has therefore reminded its billions of users about the dangers of falling for fake messages.
There are simple ways to avoid becoming a victim of the scam, wrote the Mirror. One of the measures users can take includes heading to the settings and making sure your profile picture is private. WhatsApp says this is an easy way to keep your identity safe as strangers can't view the photo or steal it in a bid to trick friends or contacts into believing that they are speaking to you.
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But how do you make the changes? It seems the safety measure takes just seconds to employ. Simply tap settings and then go to 'Privacy'. When you see 'profile picture' change the setting to the 'My contacts' option.
Perhaps the biggest reason to hide your face from view is the dreaded ‘friend in need’ scam. This is where the hacker pretends to be a close family member and then asks for money to be transferred due to their phone and wallet being lost or stolen. It's thought that thousands of pounds have been pinched using this method and it continues to be a favoured tactic used by online crooks.
Alongside changing your profile picture, the service has issued some other good advice to help stop accounts hacked. The advice includes taking time to think before responding and never sharing codes sent to your phone if you have not asked for them.
The latest tips and what you should know
STOP: Take five before you respond. Make sure your WhatsApp two-step verification is switched on to protect your account; that you're happy with your privacy settings, and your six-digit pin is secure.
THINK: Does this request make sense? Are they asking you to share a PIN code which they have had sent to you? Are they asking for money? Are they rushing you into taking action? Remember that scammers prey on people’s kindness, trust and willingness to help.
CALL: Verify that it really is your friend or family member by calling them directly, or asking them to share a voice note. Only when you're 100% sure the request is from someone you know and trust, should you consider it. If it turns out to be untrue, report it to Action Fraud
Speaking about the safety of its service, a WhatsApp spokesperson said: "WhatsApp protects your personal messages with end-to-end encryption, but we can all play a role in keeping our accounts safe by remaining vigilant to the threat of scammers.
"If you receive a suspicious message (even if you think you know who it’s from), calling or requesting a voice note is the fastest and simplest way to check someone is who they say they are. If you get a message from someone who isn't in your contacts, we give you the option to block or report them straight away."
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