Scamming on WhatsApp by ‘impersonating the boss’:Fraudsters target professionals by sending ZIP files; know how to avoid this scam

Suppose you have a job. Suddenly, you receive a message on WhatsApp in your boss’s name with a ZIP file: “Check this immediately.” In such a situation, it’s possible that you might download it without much thought, assuming it’s an important office file. But this very mistake can make you a victim of a big scam. Actually, cybercriminals these days are adopting a new method to target working professionals. They send ZIP files on WhatsApp pretending to be a boss, senior, or colleague. As soon as the person downloads or opens this file, malware gets installed on their device. Through this, fraudsters hack WhatsApp accounts and carry out banking fraud, send fake messages, or commit other cyber frauds. This new cyber fraud is being called the ‘WhatsApp Boss Scam’. In today’s ‘Cyber Literacy’ column, we will talk about this scam. We will also learn that- Expert: Rahul Mishra, Cyber Security Advisor, Uttar Pradesh Police Question: What is the ‘WhatsApp Boss Scam’? Answer: This is a type of cyber fraud in which fraudsters target professionals. Understand with these pointers- Question: How do scammers carry out this scam? Answer: Cybercriminals first gather details related to the employee and their company. After this, they create a WhatsApp profile in the name of the boss, HR, or finance team. Then they trap the employee. See this in the graphic- Question: What is a ZIP file? Answer: It is a compressed file, in which more than one file is kept by making it smaller. This makes files easy to store and share. Cybercriminals hide malware or suspicious files in this format. Therefore, suspicious ZIP files should never be downloaded or opened. Question: Does WhatsApp or a phone get hacked as soon as a ZIP file is downloaded? Answer: Phone or WhatsApp does not get hacked just by downloading a ZIP file. The risk increases when- Question: Under what pretexts do scammers send ZIP files? Answer: Cyber fraudsters use names and pretexts that make employees open the file without thinking. For example- Question: How to identify any suspicious file? Answer: A suspicious file can be identified by some easy signs. See in the graphic- Question: If a ZIP file has been opened, what should be done immediately? Answer: In such a situation, keep a few things in mind- Question: Who are the scammers targeting? Answer: Many people are targets of scammers in this scam – Question: What mistakes are people making that cause them to fall for this scam? Answer: People usually fall victim to this scam due to these mistakes – Question: How to avoid the ‘WhatsApp Boss Scam’? Answer: Vigilance is very important to avoid this scam. For this, keep the following points in mind- Question: What to do to avoid WhatsApp hacking? Answer: Scammers use WhatsApp hacking as a method of fraud. To avoid hacking, keep in mind some of the points given in the graphic – Question: What are WhatsApp Linked Devices, and how to check it? Answer: Linked Devices is a feature that allows your WhatsApp to run on another computer or device. It is important to check it from time to time. How to check? Question: How to find out if WhatsApp has been hacked? Answer: Do not ignore these signs of WhatsApp being hacked- Question: Where and how to complain about ‘WhatsApp Boss Scam’? Answer: Understand with these pointers-