WhatsApp has become a part of our lives these days. Sending photos, videos, and office documents is all done on WhatsApp. But now a new method of defrauding people has emerged using WhatsApp. Renowned cybersecurity company Quick Heal has issued a serious warning about this. Hackers are now sending infected files to your phone via WhatsApp, and people don't even notice.  

How do these people actually cheat?

Hackers' methods are very clever. First, they hack someone's WhatsApp account. Then, they send a file to all the numbers in that number's contact list. Now, imagine what you would do if you received a file from your office boss or a friend? You would open it immediately, right? Because the number is familiar. These hackers take advantage of this trust.

You might think someone you know sent you this file, but it's actually from a hacker. The file looks completely genuine, like a business report, bill, or office document. They even give the file a name to make you think it's real. Once you open the file, they can access all the data on your phone.

Who are their targets?
Quick Heal says these people don't target random people. They deliberately target high-profile individuals, such as those on the company's finance team, senior executives, CAs, and businesspeople, because their phones or laptops contain financial transactions and confidential company information. Once they gain access to that information, hackers reap significant benefits. Furthermore, these individuals keep changing their methods, making them difficult to catch.

Keep these things in mind

Don't open the file immediately: Even if the file is from someone you know, if you're wondering why they sent it suddenly, wait a bit. Don't download it immediately.

Call and confirm: The easiest way. If you receive a file from your friend, call them directly and ask, "Hey, did you send the file?" If they say no, assume something's wrong.

Don't forward: If you receive a strange file, don't forward it to anyone else. You'll be fooled, and the other person will be fooled too.

AI Photo: AI takes photos, be careful! Your face and personal information could be stolen.

Keep your phone updated: Always keep your phone's software and antivirus software up to date. Hackers can easily infiltrate outdated software.

Delete if the name is strange: If the file name is strange, like abc.exe.pdf, don't open it. Just delete it. Remember, even if the number on WhatsApp looks familiar, there's no guarantee it's the sender. So, if you exercise a little caution, both your phone and your information will remain safe.