The Civil Guard Warning about one new type of scam to hijack WhatsApp accounts through six-digit verification codes sent via SMS and requested by contacts in our address book.
The process is based on one of ours Contacts, whose profile was previously stolen on the instant messaging application tells us that he accidentally sent us one six-digit SMS verification code and asks us to send it to him urgently via WhatsApp.
As soon as we do it, we will lose our account, warns the Guardia Civil in a video broadcast this Monday on its social networks. To prevent this fraud that caused a “New wave of WhatsApp kidnappings”The armed institute recommends never to share these six digits of supposed control and verification, not to click on suspicious links and to distrust messages that ask us for money or offer us discounts or other opportunities, even if they come from contacts in our phone book.
In addition, recommends WhatsApp, one of the applications targeted by cybercriminals, according to the Guardia Civil Enable two-step verification to protect our keys.
How to enable two-step verification
Two-step verification is an optional feature that increases the security of your WhatsApp account. After you have successfully registered your phone number with WhatsApp, you will be presented with the two-step verification screen. It should be noted that the Two-step verification PIN Is except the 6-digit registration code which you receive via SMS or call. Here’s how you can activate it in a few simple steps:
- In WhatsApp you need to open the section “Settings” or “Settings”.‘.
- Then you have to press ‘Account’after “Two-step verification” and select “Activate”.
- Enter Six-digit PIN and confirm it.
- Enter an email address that you have access to, or tap Skip if you don’t want to add this address. From WhatsApp, adding an email address is recommended as it allows you to restore two-step verification and protect your account.
- Confirm the email address and tap Save or OK.
If you don’t add an email address and forget your PIN, you’ll have to wait 7 days to reset it. Since the address is not verified for accuracy, you must ensure that it is appropriate and that you have access.