FIA warns of cybercriminals targeting Pakistani WhatsApp accounts, especially women

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a warning to the public about a surge in WhatsApp account hacks, with a particular focus on targeting women's accounts.

An FIA representative explained that cybercriminals are infiltrating women's WhatsApp accounts to obtain personal information, including chats, images, and videos, which they then use for extortion and blackmail purposes.

The representative noted that these cybercriminals employ various techniques to gain unauthorized access, such as phishing and social engineering. Phishing involves sending deceptive messages to trick users into revealing personal details or clicking on harmful links.

Hacked accounts can be misused to spread inappropriate content and commit fraud. The FIA strongly recommends enabling the two-step verification feature in WhatsApp settings to add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.

Additionally, the FIA advises against opening messages or media files from unknown contacts, as they may contain harmful links or files. Users should also regularly review and update their privacy settings on WhatsApp to better safeguard their personal information.