Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Along with the development of technology, forms of fraud that used to only appear via SMS and telephone, have now changed and have penetrated through WhatsApp.
Fraud via WhatsApp is usually in the form of phishing, that is, fraud that is carried out by tapping or clicking on a link. Usually many people are not aware of being deceived by phishing because they carelessly click on links or links that have no clear source.
This phishing technique usually carries a risk of account hijacking to misuse of personal data. Here’s how to avoid phishing scams via WhatsApp that users can try.
1. Two-Step Verification
One of the steps to prevent fraud is to use the two-step verification feature. This feature works by registering a six-digit PIN to enter a WhatsApp account or can also choose the option to enter an email address.
WhatsApp will periodically ask the user to enter a PIN. If you forget how many PIN codes you created, WhatsApp will send a notification to the user’s email to reset the PIN. For the record, avoid sharing your six-digit PIN with anyone.
It’s important to remember, don’t click on any links if the user receives an email asking to reset the two-step verification PIN or registration code when the user doesn’t ask for it.
This can be a sign that someone is trying to access the user’s WhatsApp phone number. How to activate this feature is quite easy, open the ‘Settings’ menu then select the ‘Account’ option then select the ‘Two-Step Verification’ option, follow the next instructions.
2. Limit Users Who Can View Profile
The next way to avoid scams via WhatsApp is to limit who can see user profiles. WhatsApp provides the choice of who can view the profile in question.
To set other users who can see your contacts, tap the ‘Settings’ menu > Account > Privacy > select the ‘My Contacts’ option in the ‘Last Seen, Profile Photo, Info and Status’ menu.
3. Block and Report Unknown Messages
If you get a message from an unknown number with suspicious message content, especially providing a link to visit, you don’t need to reply or open it. Immediately report and block the number.
Messages containing links or hoax news from unknown numbers are phishing that can take over users’ personal data and WhatsApp accounts.
How to report and block the number is quite easy, tap ‘Contact Name or User Number’ then select the ‘Block Contact’ option then select the ‘Report Spam and Block’ option.
4. Log Out WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp web is often used because of its practicality. But do not occasionally open this feature through an open public network or public wifi that is vulnerable to being hacked.
As much as possible avoid using public wifi to open WhatsApp web, and always remember to log out of your account when you’re done using it.
5. Pay attention to the style of language and message writing
Fraudsters occasionally greet users by posing as known people or pretending to be friends. You can also greet users by giving surprises to win sweepstakes and other absurd things.
If you pretend to be someone you know and ask for help in the form of money, first pay attention to the language style used by the perpetrator. In addition, fraudsters also often use strange and unusual spelling or grammar.
(boss / boss)
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