A new scam with WhatsApp is wreaking havoc. The Guardia Civil and the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE) in Spain alert to this scam which is gaining ground. The process is relatively simple: cybercriminals call via WhatsApp by pretending to be a loved one or a colleague. Once the videoconference is accepted, the screen remains black. The false contact then asks to share the screen ” To understand what’s going on ».
A simple but formidable technique
It is at this precise moment that the scam takes shape. In the background, the victim receives the WhatsApp security code by SMS. By sharing its screen, this code becomes visible for the malicious interlocutor, who can immediately use it to take control of the account. “” The pirates then close the application and block any access, making the profile recovery impossible “, Specifies the Incibe.
Once the takeover is taken, the hackers usurp the identity of the victim to contact his relatives and ask them for money, often via Bizum, a widespread transfer service in Spain.
The authorities recommend several gestures if you are the victim: quickly prevent your contacts so that they do not fall into the trap, try to reinstall WhatsApp to regenerate an access code, then contact the support of the application to the address (email protected).
If recovery fails, it is advisable to enter the data protection delegate of WhatsApp, or even the authorities if there is no response. A formal complaint with the police is also recommended, because it is indeed an identity theft.
In parallel, the victims must inform their bank to limit possible financial consequences. To avoid falling into the trap, cybersecurity experts recall three essential rules:
- Activate two -step verification on WhatsApp, a function that strengthens account protection.
- Never share your screen with a person whose identity is not absolutely certain.
- Never communicate its safety codes, which are strictly personal.
By exploiting psychological manipulation techniques and the confidence in personal contacts, this new scam once again demonstrates that hackers do not need complex techniques to trap their victims. Vigilance therefore remains the best of ramparts.
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