It’s interesting how often over the last few months I’ve had to deal with scammers attempting hacks via the soft attack via WhatsApp. This morning in fact I’ve dealt with two, plus a foreign call from overseas. Yes, I do use WhatsApp but only with friends or certified colleagues who I’m actually working with.

Random contacts from outside of my circle are not welcome. I’ve made a point to direct all first contact to begin with email. I don’t use WhatsApp with strangers. It’s not worth my time. If someone has contacted you via WhatsApp first before any other contact they are more than likely to be scam artists and attempting to steal you contact information as well as personal information that they will use to hack your accounts. Be aware of this. It’s very important to protect your personal data. The alternative is to have bank accounts drained, your contacts shared with other scammers as well as locked accounts, passwords and email recovery addresses changed and other nasty tricks that could be used against you.

Using the email first phone second then WhatsApp for continued communication with trusted contacts is the easiest way for preventing scammers and hackers from accessing your data. I mention all of this as a computer professional, and someone who has suffered from not following these steps I mentioned.

All of this is all well and good for separating out the legitimate and non-legitimate contacts but if you can, I recommend meeting up in person with the people who want to discuss stuff with you on WhatsApp first to ensure that you actually know the person you’re talking with. Safety first.

Best wishes friends, stay safe.