A new scam has arrived on WhatsApp; don't tap on this message by mistake, or you'll be in trouble.

People are being targeted by a new scam on WhatsApp these days. In this scam, scammers send a message with a link, and as soon as the user taps on it, the scammers gain access to that user's chats.

WhatsApp GhostPairing Scam: A new type of scam has emerged on the messaging app WhatsApp, in which hackers are targeting people by sending a link in a message. This is most dangerous for users who use WhatsApp on more than one device. This scam is called GhostPairing, and with its help, scammers can read your private chats. They won't need an OTP or your password for this. Let's find out how this scam works and how to protect yourself from it.

What is WhatsApp GhostPairing?

In this scam, scammers send a message with a link to people. This usually contains a Facebook photo or a simple message that says, "Look, I found your photo," followed by a link. As soon as a user clicks on this link, the scammers secretly pair their device with the victim's WhatsApp account. This way, they can see all your chats in real-time. Even more dangerous is that the user will not be aware of this pairing, and the scammers will continue to access their chats. The first such case was reported in the Czech Republic, but security researchers say that there is a risk of such cyberattacks all over the world, including India.

How to protect yourself from this type of attack?

• Do not click on links in messages from unknown people.
• Verify the sender before opening any message or attachment.
• Keep two-step verification enabled for your WhatsApp account for added security.
• Keep WhatsApp and your device's software updated and do not use older versions.
• Keep checking the linked devices in your WhatsApp settings.