A security breach in the WhatsApp application has exposed the telephone numbers of nearly 360 million people in a total of 108 countries, according to an analysis carried out by a multinational specialized in cybersecurity.
The telephone numbers of those 360 million users of that instant messaging application would already be for sale on the “dark internet” (darknet), where they would have been put up for sale, according to data provided today by the cybersecurity company Check Point.
WhatsApp sources have, however, asserted that “this is not a data leak” and have expressed their “disappointment” that this company dedicated to cybersecurity has “bought a list of telephone numbers that circulates on the internet to repeat unfounded claims in order to get free publicity.
The Check Point company has released today the results of its analysis of the files related to the data of the users of that application, and has ensured that during the last four days these files, which include dialing codes, have been put up for sale. on the dark internet “and are being distributed freely among cybercriminals.”
The information being sold is only the active phone number, and in no case the content of user messages, according to this company, which has observed that in any case it is a large-scale violation of a very popular application used by millions of people around the world.
Among the immediate consequences of this “gap”, the company has cited the possibility that these numbers are used as part of “phishing” attacks through the application itselfTherefore, they have stressed the importance of all users being extremely careful about the messages they receive and taking precautions when clicking on any link and message shared through this application.
Beware of malicious links
The most common attacks after having access to this data are “vishing” (the victim is tricked into giving information over the phone) and “smshing” that is carried out through “sms” messages, according to this company, which has warned about the increase in attacks that have occurred coinciding with some key dates for electronic commerce, such as the “Black Friday”, “Cyber Monday” or “Amazon Prime Day”.
And the tips to try to stay safe from possible attacks: always make sure the sender is trustworthy, go directly to the source or website to search for products and services, and do not “click” on links that may be suspicious nor forward them, in order to avoid the propagation of those malicious links. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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