New WhatsApp Hacking Scam: How Cybercriminals Using OTP Message To Hack Into WhatsApp Accounts and What You Should Do for Protection

Mumbai, September 19: Indian actress Swara Bhaskar and journalist Rana Ayyub have confirmed that their WhatsApp accounts were hacked by cybercriminals. The scammers have used the new technique to gain access to the account, which requires OTP (One-Time Password). Using this technique, the hackers pose as friends of the person and then ask for a 6-digit code, which then helps them access the account.

Swara Bhaskar, an Indian actress, recently posted a message on the X platform announcing that her WhatsApp account had been compromised. Therefore, any of her contacts receiving messages from her account should avoid giving any OTP or money. She insisted the users "DO NOT REPLY" to such numbers and advised them to block them. She urged all her contacts to block any suspicious messages from any other numbers as well. Swara Bhasker’s WhatsApp Hacked; Actress Warns Fans To Ignore Any Requests for Code or Money.

Swara Bhaskar's WhatsApp Hacked by Cybercriminals, Check Her Post: 

Rana Ayyub's WhatsApp Hacked by Scammers, Check Her Post:

Indian journalist Rana Ayyub shared a similar incident on her Instagram, saying that her WhatsApp account was hacked. She said her friend's hacked WhatsApp account was used to text her. At first, Rana Ayyub said she was not suspicious about potential hacking as the number was her friend's. However, upon giving the OTP, her WhatsApp account was also hacked. She requested that people not respond to OTP requests from such numbers. Rana Ayyub said she would write to the cybercrime unit regarding the hacking.

How To Protect Yourself From the WhatsApp OTP Scam?

WhatsApp users often get messages from unknown numbers asking them to buy products, click on the link, donate money or ask for a one-time password (OTP). However, this new scam targets you via people you know. To protect yourself against any such WhatsApp hacking scam, follow the steps below.

• Do not send OTP to your known contacts, including friends, family members or work colleagues, when they ask you. 
• Confirm if they sent such a message and why they need the one-time password.
• Only if they confirm sending such a request can you forward them the codes. 
• Do not engage with unknown numbers in your contact list or ask for OTP. 
• Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) or Two-Step Verification.

Following these steps will help you protect against OTP hacking on WhatsApp and safeguard your personal information, chats, files, images and videos. Rana Ayyub WhatsApp Hacked: Journalist Says Her WhatsApp Account Got Hacked After Sending OTP to Friend’s Mobile Number/

Steps to Enable Two-Step Verification on Your WhatsApp

• First, Open WhatsApp
• Then, access three dots located in the top-right corner. It is for opening the Settings menu.
• Now tap on the "Setting" option located at the bottom
• Select the "Account" option, which will be available with a key symbol.
• Then, tap the "Two-step verification" option out of the list of options.
• Tap the "Turn on" option highlighted at the bottom of your screen.
• You need to create a six-digit PIN that you can remember easily and confirm.
• Add your email address in case you forget your six-digit PIN.
• Your Two-step verification process will be completed.

Enabling two-factor verification can add an extra layer of protection to your WhatsApp account. If the WhatsApp user does not provide a recovery email, their numbers will be allowed to re-verify without needing a passcode after seven days. Users can also disable this option, change their PIN or change their email address. 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2024 05:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).