Jump to content

WhatsApp hijackers take over your account while you sleep


RV_

Recommended Posts

I don't use Whatsapp any more and took it off my phones several years ago. If you do this article may be informative.

Excerpt:

"The recent WhatsApp accounts takeover is simple and genius. This is how it works: You're sleeping. A "hacker" tries to login to your account via WhatsApp. You get a text message with a pincode that says "Do not share this". You don't share it, yet you still get hacked. How?"

The attacker attempts to log in to a WhatsApp account. As part of the verification process, WhatsApp sends an SMS with a PIN to the phone number tied to the account.

The user is unavailable so doesn't realise there is a suspicious login. The attacker then tells WhatsApp that the SMS didn't arrive and asks for verification by phone call.

Since the account owner is still unavailable and cannot pick up the call, the call goes to the number's voicemail. Knowing the target's phone number, the attacker then attempts to access their voicemail by keying in the last four digits of the user's mobile number, which is usually the default PIN code to access the user's voicemail.

The attacker then has the WhatsApp verification code, and can use it to access the victim's WhatsApp account. They can then set up their own 2FA (two-factor authentication) on it, leaving the actual owner locked out of their own account.

Once the account has been hijacked, the attacker could use it to hijack accounts of the user's contacts, spread malware, or hold the account hostage until the owner pays up to get it back.

How to protect your own WhatsApp account:"

The rest is in the article here:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2023/01/protect-your-whatsapp-account-against-actors-who-try-to-steal-it-while-you-sleep?utm_source=blueshift&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=b2c_pro_oth_20230131_janweeklynewsletter_v4_1_167515092500&utm_content=WhatsApp_hijackers&bsft_aaid=18a8abbd-b7b6-422b-8352-283554e9475a&bsft_eid=c15a8a3b-c7c1-26e7-f217-f3e958e43eda&bsft_clkid=203a3141-8d78-42a4-87ea-9136cb280023&bsft_uid=5e997408-3efa-4edf-8132-a367895358d1&bsft_mid=92af4150-7aa0-49f5-851f-4396d9d6121d&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_ek=2023-01-31T17%3A05%3A21Z&bsft_lx=11&bsft_tv=24

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
RVers Online University

campgroundviews.com

RV Destinations

Find out more or sign up for Escapees RV'ers Bootcamp.

Advertise your product or service here.

The Rvers- Now Streaming

RVTravel.com Logo



×
×
  • Create New...