The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoIT) has issued a warning today to all the WhatsApp users in Pakistan to beware of the WhatsApp video calling invite scam. They have issued a web advisory to caution the users against clicking on the scam links.
Recently, WhatsApp enabled the video calling feature for everyone. Subsequently, the spammers took this feature as an opportunity to trap the users in their net through fake invitation links. In the light of wicked messages which eventually can put the data of users at risk, the MoIT issued a web user advisory. They have taken a good measure to inform the users about the scam as it can lead to the attainment of some private data.
While speaking about the issue, the spokesman of MoIT stated:
“Keeping in mind the popularity of WhatsApp with the messaging users, it is important that the Pakistani users are aware of this scam. They can take immediate measures to limit exposure to its data protection consequences”
How does the message look like?
A user is trapped when he is sent a message on his/her WhatsApp through a friend (he/she is trapped too). This is how the message looks like:
Of late, this issue has been raised in local and international media as well.
Spammers are using an invitation message to deceive a WhatsApp user. Apparently, the message will appear to be original but in reality it is not. As soon as a user clicks on the spoofed link, the user is directed to a legitimate looking process. However, the process is actually being carried out through a spoofed website which carries a malicious code.
Once a user goes through the directed process, he/she is asked to invite more friends. As a result, the spamming process is spread on the basis of reference.
It is worth mentioning that WhatsApp doesn’t demand any of its users to go to any link to enjoy the video calling feature. A user only needs to upgrade the app to its latest version.
If you are a victim of this spamming then you don’t need to worry. You need to uninstall popular messaging service i.e. WhatsApp and reinstall it to avoid any vulnerability.
Global hacking forums have widely reported about this scam. Web and data security experts have also cautioned to beware of following the spam links. Moreover, they have also urged the user to immediately delete any such invite without forwarding it further. The consequences of this mischievous activity remain to be seen though.
Have you got any such fake invitation message yet?
Source: ProPakistani
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