Digital Barker
  • Home
  • Startups
    • News
    • Opportunities
    • Workspaces
  • Crypto College
  • Tech
    • Gadgets
    • Tips
    • Tech Support
  • Videos
  • Jobs
No Result
View All Result
Digital Barker
  • Home
  • Startups
    • News
    • Opportunities
    • Workspaces
  • Crypto College
  • Tech
    • Gadgets
    • Tips
    • Tech Support
  • Videos
  • Jobs
No Result
View All Result
Digital Barker
Find Tech Jobs Find Tech Jobs Find Tech Jobs

Ignore WhatsApp Message Promising 1000 GB Free Data, It’s a Scam – Experts Warn

Nike by Nike
July 31, 2019
0

If you have received a WhatsApp message promising you 1000 GB of free internet data, online security experts warn that such messages should be ignored since it is obviously a scam. These messages are currently making the rounds, and cybersecurity firm ESET warns recipients to simply delete it without acting on it in any way.

The message states that the 1000 GB data giveaway is to reward the up to 1.2 million global WhatsApp users on the 10th anniversary of the digital messaging app.

It also encourages recipients to click on an accompanying link. But the link does not lead to the WhatsApp official website; but to another website supposedly set up to defraud users. The website contains several obviously dubious offers from Nestle, Adidas and Rolex among several other reputable brands.

“What strikes us right off the bat here is that the URL that comes with the message is not an official WhatsApp domain,” the researchers wrote.

After landing on the site from the link attached to the dubious WhatsApp message, users are asked to take part in an opinion survey about the WhatsApp app and where the initial offer message was found. After the survey, users are then asked to forward the offer to 30 other people in order to qualify for the big reward.

Security experts from ESET said this is possibly to increase the reach of the scam campaign. They opine that the scammers are possibly running a click fraud scheme where they can generate huge revenue from spurious ad clicks.

“Apparently their goal here is click fraud – a highly prevalent monetization scheme that relies on racking up bogus ad clicks that ultimately bring revenues for the operators of any given campaign,” ESET warned.

The researchers however warn that the dubious website could be switched to a phishing website where the personal data and identity of users can be stolen. Hackers are known to put up dubious offers in order to scam unsuspecting members of the public.

Also, hackers could possibly use the link in the dubious WhatsApp message to install malicious software on recipients’ mobile devices with a view to accessing their personal data and financial accounts.

The best course of action is to ignore and delete the message without passing it on to other people. This will protect you and your friends and possibly everybody.

WhatsApp has not responded officially to this incident.

ShareTweetPin

More Stories

MTN Nigeria proposes merger of finance subsidiaries to enhance financial inclusion
News

MTN Nigeria proposes merger of finance subsidiaries to enhance financial inclusion

5 days ago
ALAT by Wema opens registration for Hackaholics 4.0 tagged ‘Re-imagine”
News

ALAT by Wema opens registration for Hackaholics 4.0 tagged ‘Re-imagine”

7 days ago
Flat6Labs launches $95m seed fund to back early-stage startups in Africa
News

Flat6Labs launches $95m seed fund to back early-stage startups in Africa

1 week ago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Jobs

© 2022 Digital Barker

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Startups
    • News
    • Opportunities
    • Workspaces
  • Crypto College
  • Tech
    • Gadgets
    • Tips
    • Tech Support
  • Videos
  • Jobs

© 2022 Digital Barker

 
Required 'Candidate' login to applying this job. Click here to logout And try again
 

Login to your account

  • Forgot Password? | Sign Up

Reset Password

  • Already have an account? Login

Enter the username or e-mail you used in your profile. A password reset link will be sent to you by email.

Signup to your Account

Choose your Account Type
  • Candidate I want to discover awesome companies.
  • Employer I want to attract the best talent.
  • By clicking checkbox, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

    Already have an account? Login

Close
 

Answers

 

Account Activation

Before you can login, you must activate your account with the code sent to your email address. If you did not receive this email, please check your junk/spam folder. Click here to resend the activation email. If you entered an incorrect email address, you will need to re-register with the correct email address.