If you receive this message on WhatsApp, you may be a victim of fraud

The WhatsApp It is the most used and downloaded instant messaging application worldwide thanks to the multiple tools it has to communicate with friends, family, colleagues, etc., such as emojis, gifs, video calls, voice messages and send files; However, it can also be used for negative purposes that violate and put your privacy at risk.

according to ESETa software company specializing in cybersecurity, recently announced how, through a messageLos cyber criminals They can extract our information and that of our contacts, as well as install some of them Malware It violates the security of mobile devices.

The people behind this type of scam created a message to make users believe they could win a mobile data package for surfing the internet (50GB), as part of the supposed anniversary celebration of The WhatsApp.

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The message includes a seemingly harmless text and link for the user to receive the gift. If you click on it, a page opens in the browser pretending to be a site The WhatsApp. Once in, the user clicks where he says “Click here” and at that moment his data extraction begins.

But that’s not all, in order for the winner to get his prize he must share the message with at least 12 contacts or groups The WhatsApp, but there is also an extra step to get another category of benefits. In the event that the user decides to continue, they will be redirected to other fraudulent pages that will recommend the installation of some browser extension, but in fact they will download a file adware Which will display unwanted ads on the device.

ESET It also warned that many of these extensions may contain viruses intended to steal personal data that can be used for various purposes.

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ESET It recommends not to trust all those messages that do not come from well-known numbers or offer supposed rewards or include a link, if they are included, ask not to click on the mentioned links.

Another recommendation is to install a file Antivirus on the mobile device to detect links or pages of suspicious origin that may contain malware. But the most important thing is not to follow instructions, reply, or share personal information or any of your contacts.

Finally, it is suggested to check the websites you access and the messages they receive through them The WhatsApp.