How clicking WhatsApp links is making users vulnerable to cybercrime

Hackers are using simple tricks to fool people into visiting booby-trapped websites and then fleecing them.

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<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-809503p1.html?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Twin Design</a> / <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/editorial?cr=00&pl=edit-00">Shutterstock.com</a>
IANS London
Last Updated : Nov 26 2016 | 11:02 AM IST

Giving away a warning to all WhatsApp users across the globe, a report said that clicking on the links circulated on instant messaging app may expose and make them vulnerable to cyberattacks.

According to a report in The Sun newspaper, hackers are using simple tricks to fool people into visiting booby-trapped websites and then fleecing them.

Recently, Whatsapp rolled out video calling and scammers are taking the advantage of this new feature as bait to tempt people into their trap.

"If you receive an email asking you to "activate" the function by visiting a website, make sure you don't click it. Anyone who is tricked into visiting the danger pages could end up being targeted by digital criminals," the report pointed out.

Earlier this month, announcing that India now has nearly 160 million monthly active users, WhatsApp launched a video calling feature here which was rolled out globally. The feature is available on all platforms -- Android, iOS and Windows.

WhatsApp is available in more than 50 different languages around the world and in 10 Indian languages. Nearly 100 million calls are being made on the platform daily worldwide.

With the video calling feature, WhatsApp will now compete with Microsoft-owned Skype and Google's Duo.

 

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First Published: Nov 26 2016 | 11:00 AM IST

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