WhatsApp OTP scam: What is it and how to stay safe?
Team Udayavani, Nov 26, 2020, 3:59 PM IST
Scammers and Hackers are now using OTP tricks to gain illegal access to accounts. A new form of scam is surfacing where the hacker hacks into your friend’s account and sends you personalised messages to access your account.
How does it work?
In the WhatsApp OTP scam, the hacker sends you a message claiming to be your friend and says that he/she is in some sort of emergency. The hacker will then ask you for an OTP, which he will claim that he has sent to your number mistakenly.
When you get messages like this, do not indulge in any further conversation or send the OTP code, which actually provides access to your WhatsApp account.
The hacker wants to access your WhatsApp account through OTP validation. The moment you will share the OTP with the fraudster, you will be locked out of your WhatsApp account and the hacker will have the full access to your messages, contacts and groups.
How to safeguard yourself
You can enable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp:
Open WhatsApp on your phone and tap on the three dots (top-right corner).
Tap on ‘Settings from the dropdown, and then ‘Account’.
Now, enable two-factor authentication from the menu. Enter (and re-enter) the six digit PIN.
When probed, enter (and re-enter) your email address. You can choose to skip this step.
Click on ‘Done’. With this, two-factor authentication has been enabled.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Don’t trust caller ID info; can be spoofed easily: Cyber advisory to govt officials
Stay Safe Online: Tips to avoid cyber fraud!
Three Chinese astronauts enter space station after successful launch
What is AI superintelligence? Could it destroy humanity? And is it really almost here?
IIT-B develops method to maintain comfortable temperature inside homes in joint research
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
BCCI vs PCB spar on CT venue as Naqvi denies receiving any official note from Indian board
Use Carnatic music to promote Kannada language: Nirmala Sitharaman
Udupi: Car collides with bike; Rider injured
UP women’s body proposes men shouldn’t tailor women’s clothes or cut their hair
NSE, BSE to be closed on Nov 20 for Maharashtra assembly polls
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.