Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari, the Executive Director of the Africa Research Center for Information Security (ARCIS) and a Senior Lecturer at Tamale Technical University (TaTU), has raised a red flag on an alarming surge in social engineering cases that are leaving unsuspecting individuals vulnerable to unauthorized access and account takeovers on WhatsApp.
Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari highlighted the growing threat that has been sweeping through the digital landscape. “We have observed a concerning trend where individuals are unknowingly becoming targets of social engineering, leading them to inadvertently share their WhatsApp verification codes with malicious actors,” he cautioned.
This social engineering tactic is proving to be a crafty approach for cybercriminals. Victims, believing they are assisting legitimate contacts, provide these bad actors with the keys to their WhatsApp accounts. The consequences are dire, as unauthorized access to WhatsApp can lead to privacy breaches, identity theft, and potential misuse of personal data.
Disturbingly, Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari shared that at least 64 such incidents have been recorded by the Cyber Security Authority since the onset of this year, starting from April. Each of these cases paints a bleak picture of digital vulnerability, underscoring the pressing need for public awareness and enhanced security measures.
ARCIS, in collaboration with various cybersecurity experts, is actively working on educating the public about these deceptive tactics and advocating for stronger security protocols on platforms like WhatsApp. They are urging users to remain vigilant and cautious when receiving unexpected messages or requests for verification codes.
“It is essential for individuals to verify the authenticity of any requests for their WhatsApp verification codes, especially when they were not initiated by the account holder. A simple phone call to the contact can often prevent a potentially catastrophic security breach,” Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari emphasized.
The rise in these social engineering incidents serves as a stark reminder that cybersecurity education and precautionary measures are critical in the digital age. Ensuring the security of personal data and online accounts is a shared responsibility, and collaboration with experts, CSA and ARCIS is vital in this endeavor.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative to remain vigilant and well-informed about emerging threats, taking proactive steps to protect our online presence and secure our valuable digital assets.
Recommendation
- Never Share Verification Codes:Treat your verification code like a password; keep it confidential and share it with no one.
- Enable Two-Step Verification:Two-step verification adds an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account. To enable it, open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable. This will prompt you to create a six-digit PIN that will be required periodically and whenever you register your phone number with WhatsApp again
- Verify Unexpected Requests:If you receive a message requesting your verification code unexpectedly, verify the sender’s identity through a different communication mode/platform before taking any action.
- Educate Friends and Family:Share this information with your friends and family, especially those who might be less familiar with online scams. Awareness is crucial in preventing such incidents.
Source: Ghana360news.com
