Alert for WhatsApp users! How can your WhatsApp be hacked within minutes by Ghost Pairing Scam without OTP and password? Know

Tezzbuzz Desk- If you use WhatsApp for messaging and chatting, then this news is very important for you. Cyber ​​criminals have now adopted a new and dangerous method, which is being called Ghost Pairing Scam. In this scam, hackers gain complete control of your WhatsApp account without stealing OTP, password or SIM card.

According to the report of cyber security firm Gen Digital, this is not a technical flaw but a scam that takes advantage of the carelessness and trust of the users. Once the account is linked, the hacker can read all your chats through WhatsApp Web.

What is Ghost Pairing Scam and how does it work?

WhatsApp’s official Linked Devices feature is misused in Ghost Pairing Scam. The hacker tricks the user into linking a new device to his account. Since this process happens inside WhatsApp itself, it does not require OTP or password. As soon as the device is linked, the hacker gets full access to WhatsApp Web.

How does a scam start?

This scam usually starts with a message from a trusted contact, like –“Hey, I just found your photo!” The link given with the message appears in WhatsApp with a Facebook-like preview, so that the user does not get suspicious. On clicking the link, the user reaches a fake website, which looks like the real photo viewer.

How is the account linked to fake verification?

The fake website talks about verification before viewing the photo. Here the user is asked for the phone number and a numeric pairing code is generated. The user is told that this is a normal security process and it is necessary to enter this code in WhatsApp. As soon as the user enters the code, the hacker’s browser is approved as the linked device and the account is taken over.

How to Avoid Ghost Pairing Scam?

• Regularly check unknown devices by going to Settings > Linked Devices and remove them immediately.
• Never enter the QR code or pairing code received from any website or message in WhatsApp.
• Make sure to keep Two-Step Verification on in WhatsApp.
• Do not click on sudden messages or links without confirmation.

Caution is safety. A little vigilance can save you from dangerous cyber frauds like WhatsApp Ghost Pairing Scam.