Rising WhatsApp Hacking Cases in Pakistan: National CERT Issues Urgent Advisory

Pakistan is witnessing a sharp rise in cybercrime incidents, particularly involving WhatsApp account hacking. In response, the National Cyber Emergency Response Team Pakistan has released an important advisory to help users protect themselves from growing online threats and fraud attempts.

According to National CERT, hackers are increasingly targeting WhatsApp users through social engineering tactics, including fake messages, phishing links, and OTP scams. These techniques enable hackers to access personal accounts illegally, and in many cases it results in financial fraud and abuse of confidential data.

The advisory strongly emphasizes that users should never share their One-Time Password (OTP) or PIN with anyone, regardless of how trustworthy the person may seem. Cybercriminals may pose as friends, relatives, or even authorities to lure the user to disclose sensitive information.

Users should also not open suspicious links sent by unknown numbers, as they could be infected with malware or phishing websites that steal personal information. Moreover, one should never act on any request of money that he or she receives through WhatsApp without verifying the authenticity of that request via a direct phone call.

To further enhance security, National CERT has urged users to enable WhatsApp’s two-step verification feature immediately. This extra security serves as an electronic barrier, which means that despite the OTP being stolen, the account cannot be easily accessed.

Experts believe that increasing awareness and practicing basic cybersecurity measures can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to WhatsApp hacking. Cyber threats are constantly changing, so all users in Pakistan need to be cautious.

Syeda Qandeel Zehra

Syeda Qandeel Zehra, an MBA holder with four years of content writing experience, is a versatile writer adept in news, blogs, and articles. Specializing in SEO content, she combines business insight with engaging storytelling. Keen on staying updated with industry trends, Syeda crafts compelling and high-ranking content that resonates with her audience.