WEB DESK: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a public warning about a significant increase in WhatsApp account hacks, with a particular emphasis on women’s accounts being targeted.
According to an FIA spokesperson, cybercriminals are employing sophisticated techniques such as phishing and social engineering to gain unauthorised access to users’ personal information. In recent weeks, reports of WhatsApp accounts being compromised have surged. Attackers are exploiting these hijacked accounts to access personal chats, photos, and videos, which are then used for blackmail and exploitation.
Phishing tactics used by these cybercriminals often involve deceptive messages designed to trick users into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. Social engineering techniques further facilitate unauthorized access, disproportionately affecting female users.
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The FIA has provided several recommendations to safeguard WhatsApp accounts from such intrusions:
1. Enable two-step verification: This security feature adds an extra layer of protection, helping to prevent unauthorized access to your account.
2. Exercise caution with unfamiliar messages: Avoid opening messages, photos, videos, or files from unknown or suspicious numbers, as they may contain harmful links or malware.
3. Regularly update privacy settings: Reviewing and updating your WhatsApp privacy settings can help limit the accessibility of your personal information.
In the unfortunate event that your WhatsApp account is hacked, the FIA advises taking the following immediate actions:
1. Contact FIA helpline 1991: Report the incident or visit the nearest FIA cybercrime circle for assistance.
2. Reach out to WhatsApp support: Contact WhatsApp Help to regain control of your account and secure it against further unauthorized access.
3. Inform your contacts: Notify close friends, family members, and colleagues about the hack to prevent any potential misuse of your account for fraudulent activities.
The FIA continues to monitor the situation and urges the public to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their digital privacy.
