ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued an advisory for the public following a significant increase in WhatsApp account hacking incidents.
In a statement, the FIA spokesman highlighted an alarming rise in WhatsApp hacking cases, noting that cybercriminals are predominantly targeting women’s accounts. The FIA cybercrime wing revealed that hackers are employing sophisticated methods to gain unauthorized access to these accounts.
“The hackers are using phishing, a form of social engineering and scam where attackers deceive people into revealing sensitive information or installing malware such as ransomware, to gain access to accounts,” the FIA warned the public.
To safeguard against these threats, the agency advised WhatsApp users to be vigilant about suspicious messages and links and to enable two-step verification to enhance account security. “Avoid opening messages, photos, videos, or files sent from unknown numbers,” the FIA’s advisory further cautioned.
The agency also recommended that WhatsApp users regularly review and update their privacy settings. Citizens are encouraged to report hacked accounts via the FIA helpline at 1991 or visit the nearest FIA circle for assistance.
In related news, WhatsApp has announced a new feature for Mac users, allowing them to share status updates directly from their computers. This feature follows a similar update recently introduced for Android devices, enabling users to share images, videos, GIFs, text, and voice messages through status updates from any linked device.
The latest WhatsApp beta for Mac, version 24.11.73, available on the TestFlight app, now allows beta testers to post status updates directly from the status tab on their Macs. This update is part of WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience across different platforms.
These developments underscore the importance of staying informed about digital security practices and leveraging new features to maintain secure and efficient communication.
