WhatsApp started as an alternative to SMS. The product now supports sending and receiving a variety of media: text, photos, videos, documents, and location, as well as voice calls.
The messages and calls are secured with end-to-end encryption, meaning that no third party including WhatsApp can read or listen to them. Behind every product decision is our desire to let people communicate anywhere in the world without barriers.
WhatsApp was founded by Jan Koum and Brian Acton who had previously spent 20 years combined at Yahoo. WhatsApp joined Facebook in 2014, but continues to operate as a separate app with a laser focus on building a messaging service that works fast and reliably anywhere in the world.
WhatsApp scam apps and links
(1) #WhatsApp: if you receive text message or email from the (#whatsApp) please don't reply or click the link. They deduct money from your mobile network account.
(2) WhatsApp Gold: WhatsApp Gold is a third party malware app. Its not officially available in the play store- and for good reason. While the app presented itself as a "secret premium version" of WhatsApp, it was actually just an excuse for you to download a whole bunch of malware on your phone. At the time, this scam was primarily spread through text messages
The latest WhatsApp hoax doing the rounds is an exclusive invitation to upgrade to a premium version of the app, called WhatsApp Gold. It's complete and utter rubbish: there is no WhatsApp Gold. "The invitation reads: "Hey Finally Secret Whatsapp golden version has been leaked, This version is used only by big celebrities. Now we can use it too."
(3) Whatsapp voice call scam: your official whatsapp have the ability to do voice call but if you find it difficult to do voice call please kindly upgrade. Don't click any link or message that direct you to a site or app with adverse advert and direct you to invite your friends claiming to upgrade to voice call for whatsapp.
Solution: Always check your app store and click update to see outdated app. Or check if your phone's support voice call.
(4) WhatsApp video calling scam Its virtually the same story as the scam above. It was rumored that WhatsApp would release a video calling feature - much like Skype. The scammers adapted the voice calling scam and encouraged users to click a link in hopes of getting the new video calling feature.
Solutions: wait for whatsapp to sent you an upgade or update notification to avoid downloading malware.
(5) WhatsApp call invite: this where a victims are promise to have less or no charge while making whatsapp call, and the fraudster will tell you to invite 4 to 10 friends to activate the features. the hackers use this means to hack your system because your mobile number will be require.
Note: when a friend sent you an invitation becareful before you accept because your friend is already a victim.
Effects: once the whatsapp official know that you have activate whatsapp call invite app they block you.
(6) WhatsApp plus: this another third party app that sluggishly gain access to your important message and contact (bank details etc) once the app is activated.
Note: activating the app a notification will ask you to have access to your media and contact. Once you accept the term you are a victims.
(7) WhatsApp spy scam: this third party apps promise to give you access to read other people's whatsapp message but at end they will spy all your essential messages
(8) WhatsApp Emoji scam: Quite possibly the most "harmless" of all the scams, this one is still unpleasant. Similar to the other scams, the message promises a whole host of new animated emojis, and provides a suspicious download link. When you click on the download link, you'll be asked to share the message to at least 10 contacts or 3 groups, ensuring that the "scareware" spreads. After 5 minutes, an alert appears on your screen stating that your browser is running out of
memory and needs an update. Even if you ignore the warning, you'll be harassed by a steady stream of pop ups asking you to install a fix. The fix is actually a legitimate app called UC Browser app. According to Kaspersky Lab, despite the message not actually causing any further harm than the annoying pop-ups, it's still highly unethical to scare users (and harass) users to install a app.
(9) WhatsApp access code scam: Another
old favorite that's making the rounds again is the access code scam. The scam works as follows. The scammer triggers a new login to WhatsApp using the victim’s phone number. WhatsApp - as is their login procedure - will send the victim a SMS with the login verification code. The scammer then calls the victim claiming to be from WhatsApp requesting the code to ensure that the victim's WhatsApp is still working or something along those lines. The scammer then has full access to the WhatsApp account (and essentially locks out the victim of their account) and starts sending ransom requests to the victim's friends and family.
10. Solutions to stop whatsApp scam.
- Don't click an unknown link.
- Check your app stores for an update.
- If you must use third parties app save your confidential material outside the phone.
- Always set your browser alert setting ON to raise alarm while going to harmful site.
- Don't always trust your friends invite link.
- Read and check before download any app or files.
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