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Photo: Pixabay. Image with illustrative paper
In recent days a new attack has been detected through WhatsApp. It’s called “New Year’s Scam” and it blocks and delivers data, photos and videos from the phone of the attacked.
The victim receives a message on WhatsApp with a six-digit code, apparently from assistance. Actually, it is sent by a hacker. Then comes a message from an unknown number, but with a picture of an acquaintance in the address book: Hello, I sent you a code by mistake, could you return it?
Once the code has been sent, the hacker steals our identity, just like when we change phones and install WhatsApp on another device, entering the authentication code. The hacker will be able to use our account, but we cannot.
The scam is based on people’s naivety, because no one will ever ask us for the authentication code. Once the profile is taken over, the chain reaction begins. The hacker can see our contacts and groups, can contact our friends and family, etc.
It’s an old scam, but one that has made a comeback in recent days. According to ANSA, hundreds of people have already been victims of this scam, including Senator Gianpietro Maffoni, quoted the Italian press Mediafax.
As a precautionary measure, simply do not give the six-digit code to anyone. If, on the other hand, we have already given it, we can regain control of the profile by asking WhatsApp for a new code. By entering the phone number and code, we should be able to access our profile again and have full control over it. If the hacker has changed the phone number of the profile, we must contact WhatsApp and, in extreme cases, deactivate the account.
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