vimedigital
March 23, 2023
9:45 pm
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Brazil leads in phishing attacks via WhatsApp.

Phishing is a type of A cyberattack in which an individual or organization attempts to obtain confidential personal information.Phishing attacks typically involve obtaining information such as passwords, bank details, or credit card information through social engineering. Sending fraudulent email messages or creating fake websites that resemble legitimate sites in an attempt to deceive users. WhatsApp phishing is a fraudulent technique used to obtain confidential information, such as passwords or bank details, through fake messages on the WhatsApp instant messaging application.

According to the report by Kasperskylast year, the Brazil leads the ranking of phishing attacks on WhatsApp. and had over 76,000 recorded fraud attempts. The research also revealed that Brazil is the fourth country to suffer from this type of email fraud.

According to the report, in 2022 there was an increase in the distribution of malicious messages through messaging apps. most of them on WhatsApp (82,71%), Telegram (14,12%) and Viber (3,17%).

WhatsApp phishing scammers typically send deceptive messages that appear to come from a legitimate source, such as a bank or reputable company, and request confidential information or a click on a malicious link.

Phishing Steps

Generally, the steps of a phishing attack include:

PreparationThe attacker researches the victim and creates an attack plan. They select the type of phishing they will use, the target audience, the topic, and the type of message they will send.
Engagement: The attacker sends an email, text message, or social media message to the victim. The message may appear legitimate, with a persuasive message, a request for help, or a link that seemingly leads to a trustworthy website.
Information gatheringIf the victim clicks on the link or provides information, the attacker collects the data provided. The website may be a fake version of the real site, with a form to fill in the information.
Exploration: The attacker uses the information to access bank accounts, social media accounts, email accounts, or other confidential resources.
Track cleaning: The attacker erases all evidence of the attack to avoid being tracked and captured.

Prevention Tips

To avoid falling into a WhatsApp phishing trap, it's important to consider the following recommendations:

Check the message's origin: Before providing any information or clicking on a link, verify that the message comes from a legitimate and trustworthy source.
Do not provide personal information. Never provide personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, through WhatsApp.
Don't click on suspicious links: If you receive a suspicious link, do not open it and delete the message immediately.
Use a mobile security solution: To protect yourself against WhatsApp phishing and other mobile threats, consider using a mobile security solution on your device.
Be wary of suspicious emails or messages: If you receive an unexpected email or message that seems suspicious, carefully check the sender's email address or phone number. Watch out for spelling or grammar errors and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments.
Check the URL: Always check the URL of the website you are accessing. Phishing often involves creating fake websites that look like legitimate sites, but with slightly different URLs.
Use two-factor authentication: Use two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring you to provide two different forms of identification before logging into an account.
Keep your software up to date: Keeping your software updated with the latest security patches is an important measure to protect yourself against phishing attacks and other types of cyberattacks.
Educate yourself about phishing: Stay informed about the latest phishing techniques and share this knowledge with your friends and family. Awareness is the best defense against phishing attacks.
Stay updated: Make sure to keep your WhatsApp application and mobile operating system updated with the latest security updates to avoid known vulnerabilities.

To protect yourself against phishing, it is It's important to be aware of suspicious messages., check the senders of the emailsNever click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.In addition, it is recommended to have one. updated antivirus and use Secure and different passwords for each account.