Technology
Two biggest WhatsApp FAILS that will probably get you hacked
WHATSAPP is a pretty secure chatting platform but sometimes human error can lead to a hacker stealing your account.
Below are two major mistakes you should avoid if you want to keep your WhatsApp safe.
Avoid downloading third-party WhatsApp apps
Some people download third-party WhatsApp apps that claim to be enhanced with extra features.
WhatsApp has a strong stance against these altered apps and could end up deleting your account.
Some of the third-party apps are purely designed to steal your WhatsApp account.
Earlier this year, a message about a ‘WhatsApp Pink’ app was highlighted as a scam by a security researcher in India who said it contains malware which could let a hacker take over your phone
EPAYou could be slapped with a WhatsApp ban if you use an unofficial version of the chat app[/caption]
The link could let hackers take over your phone and even message your contacts.
WhatsApp has warned that it will ban users of a new, unofficial version of its chat app that has gone viral on social media.
“GB WhatsApp”, a third-party Android app, shares many of the characteristics of its namesake but with a number of extra features.
It offers the ability to auto-reply, send more photos and hide read receipts on top of other benefits that are not available on the “real” app.
Built by an anonymous developer, the clone isn’t available on Android’s Google Play Store and must instead be downloaded via a web page.
In a recent update to its website, WhatsApp underlined that third-party WhatsApp copycats are banned under its terms of service.
Those who use them face a permanent ban from WhatsApp unless they switch over to the official version of the app.
Never give out your six-digit WhatsApp code
A common scam is for a hacker to get a six-digit WhatsApp verification code sent to your phone.
They’re trying to hack you by pretending to be a friend that’s accidentally sent the code to you when actually the code is for access to your own WhatsApp.
If you give it away you’re giving away your account.
The WhatsApp code is sent to you when you or a hacker is trying to make changes to your account.
You should never share the six-digit code with anyone.
It could mean you no longer have access to your account and the hacker can try and scam your friends and read your private messages.
If you do get a suspicious message from a friend, try ringing them to see if you can talk to them in person and verify what is going on.
It’s also advisable to turn on two-step verification so your WhatsApp is also protected by a PIN.
WhatsApp – a quick history
Here’s what you need to know…
WhatsApp was created in 2009 by computer programmers Brian Acton and Jan Koum – former employees of Yahoo
It’s one of the most popular messaging services in the world
Koum came up with the name WhatsApp because it sounded like “what’s up”
After a number of tweaks the app was released with a messaging component in June 2009, with 250,000 active users
It was originally free but switched to a paid service to avoid growing too fast. Then in 2016, it became free again for all users
Facebook bought WhatsApp Inc in February 2014 for $19.3billion (£14.64bn)
The app is particularly popular because all messages are encrypted during transit, shutting out snoopers
As of 2020, WhatsApp has over 2billion users globally
Most read in Phones & Gadgets
In other news, nine apps have had to be removed from the Google Play Store after they were caught stealing Facebook passwords.
Facebook is facing backlash in the US over plans to create a version of Instagram for children under 13.
And, influencers who don’t clearly state if they’ve edited photos which are advertisements could be fined or imprisoned in Norway due to a new law.
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