WhatsApp hack threat looms as new year begins for Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has warned users that WhatsApp accounts are being hacked under the pretext of online gifts, congratulations, and happy messages.

According to the agency, fake gift and congratulatory links are spreading rapidly on social media and messaging apps, which can pose a serious threat to users.

The NCCIA says that users should avoid clicking on any unknown or suspicious link and should not share WhatsApp verification codes with anyone under any circumstances.

According to experts, hackers send spyware under the guise of gifts or happy messages, a single click of which can completely jeopardize the mobile phone and WhatsApp account.

Experts said that spyware is a secret software that is installed on a mobile or computer and steals the user’s private information. Through this, hackers can access users’ messages, calls, photos, videos and passwords, which seriously affects privacy.

Although WhatsApp protects users’ information through end-to-end encryption, this protection may also prove insufficient if spyware is installed on the mobile phone.

According to experts, spyware can enter the phone through fake links, suspicious SMS or emails, and unofficial WhatsApp versions.

Some modern zero-click attacks can hack phones without any reaction from the user, but such attacks usually target journalists, politicians, and other high-profile individuals.

The NCCIA has warned that once the spyware is installed, hackers can read the user’s chats, listen to calls, access the camera and microphone, and even track the user’s location.

The national agency has urged citizens to be wary of unexpected gifts and links received on New Year’s or any occasion, and to strictly follow precautions to ensure the security of their mobile phones and WhatsApp accounts.