WhatsApp hacking warning in South Africa

MTN is running a WhatsApp hacking awareness campaign, warning South Africans that criminals taking over people’s accounts are on the rise.

WhatsApp is the most popular mobile messaging platform in South Africa, with 93.9% of active social media users using the app.

According to the latest statistics, WhatsApp has 28.8 million users in the country. This is much higher than any competitor.

This high number of users and the platform’s popularity mean it is a popular playground for criminals.

Numerous social media scams exist on WhatsApp, including scammers using fake profiles to send messages or links that can be dangerous and lead to malicious websites.

There are also many scams where criminals with fake profiles lure victims into bogus investment scams or similar schemes.

Another widespread problem is impersonation scams, where a WhatsApp user pretends to be a romantic partner in desperate need of funds.

A particularly dangerous version is brandjacking, where fraudsters create a fake social media account or website that looks like a legitimate brand.

They use these hoax sites and social media profiles to trick people into sharing their personal or banking information.

Many criminals also use the lure of receiving an exclusive version of the app with new updates and features to trick users.

This scam, dubbed WhatsApp Gold, convinces users to click on a link or install software which installs malware on their device.

This malware can be used in numerous ways, including stealing personal information, like banking details.

In all of these scams and many others, the criminal aims to hoodwink WhatsApp users to give them money.

WhatsApp hacking rising in South Africa

MTN has warned South Africans that there is a rise in WhatsApp hacking, where criminals gain unauthorised access to accounts.

It explained that fraudsters use various methods, such as SIM swap fraud, phishing and public Wi-Fi attacks, to gain access to a person’s WhatsApp account.

They aim to steal personal information or money or use the stolen WhatsApp account for nefarious purposes.

To avoid being hacked, MTN advised WhatsApp users to turn on two-step verification to add an extra layer of protection.

This requires a PIN in addition to the verification code, making it harder for anyone to access your account even if they get the code.

It also urged users to be cautious of suspicious messages and links. “Do not click on suspicious links or download files from unknown sources,” MTN said.

“WhatsApp does not ask for your personal information via messages, so avoid sharing details like your verification code.”

It further advised users to never share their 6-digit verification code with anyone. Scammers can use it to hack into a WhatsApp account.

MTN said users should avoid using public Wi-Fi when doing sensitive transactions, as it could expose their data to attackers.

“Avoid accessing WhatsApp or entering sensitive information while connected to unsecured networks,” it said.

A very important piece of advice to protect against getting hacked is to only install the official WhatsApp.

“Download WhatsApp only from official sources like Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery or Apple App Store to avoid fake apps that might steal your information,” MTN said.

Users should also regularly update their phones’ operating systems and apps to ensure they have the latest security controls, making it harder for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

MTN further advised South Africans to use WhatsApp’s fingerprint or face recognition lock feature.

This will ensure that no one can access WhatsApp even if they have physical access to people’s smartphone.