The convenience and popularity of WhatsApp (WA) as a messaging app is undeniable. In October 2021, Statista declared that WhatsApp has around two billion active users every month, which puts it streets ahead of other OTT messaging apps. Unfortunately, while it has brought together families, friends, and common interest groups; it has also provided scammers and other miscreants the means to defraud people of their hard earned money and breach Privacy.
In the worst case scenarios, people have been blackmailed for participating in adult content chats, and sharing photos in inappropriate attire and/or poses. What is worse, you might have innocently responded to a video call on WA from an unknown number thinking that it is somebody enquiring about your work, and then got sent a video which uses a morphed image with your face, but somebody else’s nude body.
WhatsApp Security Is More Notional Than Real
Technically, WA chats are encrypted end to end, and they claim on their website that they themselves cannot read messages exchanged between two people. However, when you consider just how many times law enforcement agencies in different countries have accessed private chats of people under investigation, obviously WA chats are not as private or secure as you might have imagined, or desired. Additionally, chat backups are not encrypted. What is even more worrisome is that since WhatsApp is still closely linked with its parent company Facebook, all your WA contacts are visible to Facebook, which often uses that database to generate friend suggestions for you. As many users have experienced in recent times, this often leads to undesirable people getting in touch with you.
Do Not Respond, If You Don’t Know the Caller or Messenger
Calls or messages purporting to call or message from an international number, especially those which offer you work, or payment for subscribing to YouTube channels, and other work from home projects, are just covers for getting personal and banking details from you. Remember, that international number might only be a cover for a bounced call from some place close to you geographically. Just report and block that number, especially if you have received unwanted/unsolicited sexually explicit messages or images too immediately after that call. Don’t make the mistake of imagining that it is the handy work of a prankster.
What You Can Do to Avoid Becoming a Victim
Adjust your settings to ensure that that your webcam does not immediately start shooting when you receive a video call. Assess, and confirm the identity of the caller. If the caller, and his/her background is dimly lit to prevent you from clearly identifying who is calling, and from where; then disconnect before speaking a word. Report the number to not just WA, but also to the cyber crime branch. If need be, file an FIR at the local police station.
Overlooked Adverse Impact of the Pandemic
Ironically, the spurt in WA scams and fraud has come during the Covid-19 pandemic. Part of the reason is the sense of insecurity which most people began experiencing as well as the shrinking job market. People began jumping at the slightest hint of an opportunity to make a quick buck, and at the opportunity to get work from home, instead of going to office to work as many organizations have told their personnel to return to office. It means that if an impostor approaches such people to work from home for an insurance company, a bank, a government department, or some such position of authority, then they enjoy a measure of credibility which they would not have otherwise.
Watch Out for These Ploys
Such people might use deception or coercion to compel people into revealing sensitive information like OTPs, or passwords. This might be achieved by telling them that this action is part of new 2-step or 3-step verification initiated by WA. Other methods include offers to qualify for a special discount, prevention of suspension of diverse services, or even warning of transactions being declined. Such fear tactics are used to manipulate people into acting impulsively.
Data Breaches of Major Companies and Service Providers Equally at Fault
The oft repeated warning that data breaches have far reaching, and occasionally disastrous consequences is usually ignored by many medium and smaller organizations. The worst sufferers are, however, their hapless clients and customers. These breaches result in cyber criminals gaining access to databases, and information like names, phone numbers, and other personal information. Some people have complained of receiving threatening calls to return loans they neither applied for, nor availed. The worst fraud is people being contacted from an unknown number, where the sender claims to be a close friend or family member saying that their phone was stolen or lost. Then, they suggest that the new number is saved. Subsequently, monetary help is sought under varied pretexts.
Businesses Beware: You Might Get Blocked by Your Own Customers
A major mistake some companies make is to approach their clients directly on WhatsApp, which can make the more careful folk think that it is a scamster. The best route would be to advertise your WhatsApp number on your own website, or sharing it with existing customers when sending bills, or emails. Another major mistake that businesses make is bombarding the customers with promotional messages on WA. A more kindly disposed customer might just make a polite request to refrain from doing so. However, when some customer is feeling harried, or simply concerned over challenges at work, or at home; yet another promotional message could be the proverbial straw on the camel’s back. Then, she/he might report and/or block your number. Too many reports might lead to your business attracting the unwelcome attention of the federal or other enforcement authorities.
Use opt-ins judiciously: Don’t compel customers to opt in for promotional messages.
Takeaways
- Whether as an individual or as a business, use WhatsApp responsibly.
- Always remember that what is put on the net, is never really behind you.
- Therefore, be cautious about the tenor of your conversations and chats.
- Humor is fine, but never overstep that fine line.
- It is inadvisable to receive phone calls or video calls from unknown numbers, if the call is made on WA.
- Adjust your settings on WhatsApp to ensure that neither your microphone nor your webcam switch on immediately when you respond to a WA call.
- Businesses need to be wary of sending too many promotional messages, unless the client has willingly opted in.
If still in doubt or Need Guidance or Immediate Assistance?
Why don’t you contact us at (+91 733-113-2288), or write to us at (service@friggp2c.com | friggp2c@gmail.com)
Also, check out our services like Vulnerability Assessment, Penetration Testing, Code Review, Testing as a Service, and Risk Management on our website www.friggp2c.com.
We are determined to work with and for you and make your organization one of the safest business organizations for you, your customers, and all prospective clients.
