Brilio.net - In the midst of rapid technological developments, cybercrime is also evolving. Fraudsters are now getting smarter, they are adopting various new methods that make victims helpless by draining their accounts while using someone's personal data irresponsibly. One of the newest modes of online fraud that is increasingly widespread is by utilizing the WhatsApp (WA) messaging application.
Fraud via WA really endangers the user's personal data. The reason is that just by receiving a message from a fraudster, your data can be taken. As experienced by this content creator. Through his TikTok account @byalezi, he shared his bitter experience of losing millions of rupiah and even using his personal data for illegal online loans.
In this account, he tells the chronology of the fraud he experienced. This fraud model is quite new, because there is no need to click on a link shared by a foreign number. But just by replying to a message that contains a fake location, the fraudster or hacker can obtain the victim's personal data.
So what is the chronology? Come on, take a look at the review below! Adapted from the TikTok account @byalezi, Tuesday (16/7)
First, initially there was an unknown number who sent him a WhatsApp message with the content. "P" "P" (Ping). Initially, he only thought it was the customer or courier or Gojek who sent the message.
Next, he simply answered "Yes". Suddenly the number sent a type of location point with foreign language writing. Then, the fraudster sends a chat containing a secret code. Not just once, but twice the chat contained random codes that didn't clearly fit.
After the random code was entered , the WhatsApp of the TikTok owner @byalezi suddenly came out. And when you click enter the WhatsApp application doesn't work or it crashes (a problem that usually occurs on Android devices caused by application code problems and unstable device conditions).
photo: TikTok/@byalezi
It didn't stop there, his account was logged out for 4 hours. As a result, the hacker holding the user's number has fatal consequences. After that, the account owner immediately recovers his telephone number.
It turns out that during those 4 hours, the account owner's number was used to retrieve OTP codes for several e-wallets, such as OVO, Gopay and so on. As a result, the contents of the electronic wallet were completely empty and sent to the number that sent the codes. Apart from that, all his personal data was leaked.
Two days after his WhatsApp account was hacked, he received a transfer worth IDR 5 million from PT Tecno Finance, namely an illegal online loan. The name of the pinjol is quite strange, like "Rupiah" "Running" and so on.
It doesn't stop there, the account owner is also terrorized into returning the loan money. Even contacts from his favorites list were terrorized. Where KTP photo data and videos in the gallery were also misused. As a result, the voter is still fighting for personal data that was stolen without his permission.
Based on this story, it can be seen that fraud or hackers are currently targeting OTP codes via cellphone numbers. So, you must always be careful. If necessary, perform 2 authentications starting from the code to the cellphone fingerprint. Apart from that, it is necessary that if a foreign number calls you or sends an unclear message, it should be blocked to minimize the possibility of being hacked.
How to keep WhatsApp from being easily hacked.
photo: freepik.com
To maintain WhatsApp security, you can activate WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption security feature, including:
On Android phones:
1. Open settings.
2. Tap Chat then click chat backup.
3. Select end-to-end encrypted backup.
4. Tap turn on, then follow the instructions to create a password or key.
5. Click "Bat". Wait a few moments while WhatsApp prepares a backup of your account so that it is end-to-end encrypted. This process may require connecting the cellphone to a power source or charger.
On iPhone:
1. Not a suit.
2. Click chat then backup chat. Then backup is end-to-end encrypted.
3. Tap turn off.
4. Next, enter the password.
5. Confirm that you want to turn off encrypted backup by clicking "Turn Off"
Another tip when any account is indicated to have been hacked, you should click airplane mode on your cellphone. The reason is that hackers usually access data via the internet, if you don't have an internet connection, it's possible that your data is still safe.