Three most dangerous mistakes ANY WhatsApp user can make and how to Avoid it
WhatsApp is a magnet for all kinds of cyber dangers, thanks to its global user base of over 2 billion people.
In recent years, the popular app has been the unlucky entryway for many hackers, resulting in the theft of thousands of dollars from some users.
It’s a concerning tendency that has only become worse since the epidemic, as people become more reliant on technology to communicate with loved ones.
Scammers and hackers are continually seeking for new ways to deceive their victims, making it even more problematic.
However, there are certain common patterns and themes to be aware of, as well as basic precautions to take.
Don’t engage in conversation with numbers you don’t recognize.
Cyber criminals like preying on our emotions in order to earn a profit.
They do this in a variety of methods, like calling a random new number and claiming it is a loved one or acquaintance.
To get you to hurry into it, they’ll behave hurriedly and utilize intense words.
They usually pose as someone you know in difficulty, stating they can’t use their regular phone number for whatever reason and need money quickly.
As you might expect, a concerned parent would jump to aid their child, thus it’s a sneaky ruse that many people have fallen for.
It’s best not to communicate with numbers you don’t recognize.
If you’re concerned about the person they’re pretending to be, contact them on their regular phone number to double-check; chances are they’ll answer and wonder what you’re talking about.
Alternatively, as one parent recently showed, you can catch tricksters out by asking the correct questions.
Don’t open random links
So a friend of yours has offered you a fantastic deal that seems almost too good to be true.
You recognize this person and it’s from their phone number, so it’s had to be real, right? No, I don’t think so.
If something appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is.
Consider how these messages are delivered: would that individual send you a link to a crazy sale with 90% off a large brand?
Is it written in their own words?
Is the link official, or is it long and difficult to find?
Unfortunately, they have most likely already clicked the link and fallen victim to the hoax.
It is then passed on to others without their knowledge.
It’s best to inform them rather than clicking the link yourself.
Failure to update WhatsApp on a regular basis
Keep your app up to date. It’s simple, but it’s the best security you can provide yourself with any software.
While WhatsApp is very secure, since communications are encrypted, hackers are continuously looking for vulnerabilities to exploit.
When they do uncover a method, techies are usually fast to patch it, but you can only benefit from the update if you have it installed.
The majority of people have automatic updates turned on, which is the best option.
You may manually check for updates by heading to the app store, looking for WhatsApp, and seeing if any are available.
Note the below
For those who are posting free internet data, free this and free that.
Let me teach you some basic ICT. Any Link that start with “http ” is most likely a phishing link.
Phishing is usually intended to get your Personal details including your date of Birth, Bank Account Number etc.
BE ALERT
This is how Scammers and Hackers steal your identity and use them to Scam.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND TAKE NOTE
- Avoid random links.
- Avoid all these null Data links,
- MTN, Airtel, etc are not sharing data.
- The Government is not sharing Money via WhatsApp
- Your Bank is not sharing Money
If Coronavirus has not seen you, Don’t allow scammers to scam you.
ACTION
Be Smart and Ignore those links for your Own Good.
Stop forwarding as received without proper Verification because you might put someone’s life in danger.
There is no free Money,
There is no free Credit
There is no free Data anywhere in Africa via Links
What is the difference between http and https? Please make sure you read this to the end.
Some of you may be aware of this difference, but it is worth sharing for many that are not.
The main difference between http:// and https:// is all about keeping you secure.
HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.
The S stands for “Secure”.
If you visit a Website or web page, and look at the address in the web browser and it begins with the following: http:///.
This means that the website is talking to your browser using
the regular unsecured language.
In other words, it is possible for someone to “eavesdrop” on your computer’s conversation with the Website. If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site.
This is why you never ever enter your credit card number in an
Http website! But if the web address begins with https://, that means your computer is talking to the website in a Secure code that no one can eavesdrop on.
Now, you understand why this is so important, right?
If a website ever asks you to enter your Credit/Debit card Information, you should automatically check to see if the web
address begins with https://.
If it doesn’t, you should NEVER enter sensitive Information such as a credit/debit card number.
While checking the name of any website, first look for the domain extension (.com or .org, .co, .in, .net etc). The name just before this is the domain name of the website. Example, http://amazon.diwali-festivals.com, the word before .com is “diwali-festivals” (and NOT “amazon”).
So, this webpage does not belong to amazon.com but rather belongs to “diwali-festivals.com”, which we all haven’t heard of before.
You can similarly check for bank frauds.
Before your ebanking logins, make sure that the name just before “.com” is the name of your bank. “Something.Ecobank.com” belongs to Ecobank ; but, Ecobank.some1else.com belongs to “some1else”.
You’ve hopefully learned something new, now please share and educate others.
Stay safe as more scammers and cyber criminals are on the loose these days!
Thanks.
Take note
