WhatsApp users have been warned about thousands of websites posing as the popular chat application in an attempt to steal login details. Cybercriminals are trying a new tactic to access WhatsApp accounts, which is a threat that all users should be aware of. The company owned by Facebook stated that it has discovered more than 39,000 websites attempting to steal user details through fake login pages, according to "Russia Today." The scam is not limited to WhatsApp alone, as thieves are also trying to obtain Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram account details.
These new phishing attacks lure victims to websites that appear to be managed by a trustworthy entity. However, all of them are fake, and the site content is designed to convince the victim to enter sensitive information, such as their password or email address. Facebook is very concerned about this recent wave of data theft websites and has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to stop the cybercriminals in their tracks.
In a message posted on its blog, Facebook stated: "Today, we filed a federal lawsuit in California to disrupt phishing attacks designed to trick people into sharing their login credentials on fake login pages for Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Phishing is a significant threat to millions of internet users. This lawsuit is another step in our ongoing efforts to protect people’s safety and privacy, and to send a clear message to those who attempt to misuse our platform, increasing accountability for those who misuse technology."
If you receive an email, text message, or WhatsApp message asking you to log in to any of your Facebook-owned accounts through a website, the advice is simple: do not enter any details unless you are 100% sure they are from an official source. Facebook states that all emails related to your account always come from fb.com, facebook.com, or facebookmail.com. You can always visit facebook.com or open the Facebook app to check for important messages from the company.
If you receive a suspicious email or message claiming to be from Facebook, WhatsApp, or Instagram, do not click on any links or attachments. It is also wise not to respond to messages requesting your password, social security number, or credit card information. If you believe you accidentally entered your username or password on a strange link, someone else might be able to log into your account.
Facebook offers this advice if you believe your account is at risk:
- If you can log into your account, learn how to secure your account by resetting your password and signing out of any devices you do not own.
- If you cannot access your account and the username or password does not work, learn how to recover your account.
- If you want to know if anything unusual has happened to your account, learn how to review recent activity and check the recent emails sent by Facebook.
