WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world, with over 2 billion active users. Its convenience and ease of use has made it many people’s preferred way of communicating with friends, family and even for business purposes.
One of the handiest features of WhatsApp is the ability to send web links that the recipient can simply click on and open directly within the app. However, there are risks associated with clicking on links sent via WhatsApp, and users should exercise caution before tapping on any link sent to them.
The risks of clicking WhatsApp links
While most links sent via WhatsApp are harmless, there is potential for bad actors to use links maliciously. Some of the risks of clicking WhatsApp links include:
- Phishing scams – Fraudsters can disguise malicious links as harmless, fooling users into giving up sensitive information like passwords or bank details. Phishing links are designed to mimic trustworthy organizations.
- Malware downloads – Links could contain malware that gets installed on a user’s device once they click it. This gives hackers access and control over personal data.
- Unsafe content – Links may direct to content like illegal, offensive or dangerous files and media that can harm one’s device or compromise privacy.
- Fake updates/offers – Links pretending to offer exclusive deals, app updates and promotions can trick users into clicking and visiting scam websites or downloading unsafe files.
- Spam – Links could be used to direct users to websites, apps and pages they did not consent to visiting. These spammy links are annoying at best and dangerous at worst.
As WhatsApp’s popularity has increased, so have instances of cybercriminals exploiting the platform to spread malicious links and carry out attacks. Clicking on dubious links has led to malware attacks, hacking and financial losses for many unsuspecting users.
How to identify suspicious or unsafe WhatsApp links
Here are some tips to identify red flags with WhatsApp links to avoid clicking on anything dubious or dangerous:
- Review the sender – Messages containing links that come out of the blue from unknown numbers or suspicious accounts should raise alarm bells. Verify that the sender is someone you know and trust before clicking.
- Check the link preview – Most links on WhatsApp give a preview of the landing page. Look out for misspellings, strange URLs or website names that don’t match the context.
- Hover over the link – On desktop, you can hover over a link to preview the actual URL. Beware if it doesn’t match what is displayed in the message.
- Use URL preview tools – Paste longer or obfuscated URLs into tools like urlscan.io to see if they lead where they claim to.
- Watch for typos or odd wording – Scam or phishing links often have subtle typos in product or brand names e.g. “Amaz0n” instead of “Amazon”. The accompanying message may also be oddly worded or urgent sounding.
- Avoid links promising exclusive deals – Unlikely offers like free gadgets or gift cards from big brands are usually scams intended to harvest personal information or install malware.
- Be wary of .exe or shortened links – Links ending in .exe signify executable files and shortened links also commonly hide sketchy URLs.
Precautions to take before clicking WhatsApp links
Here are some precautions users can take to better protect themselves before tapping on links received via WhatsApp:
- Turn on link previews – WhatsApp’s preview feature allows users to view destination URLs without actually visiting them via a long press. This can reveal sketchy links.
- Use antivirus software – Having a reputable antivirus program can detect and block malware and phishing scams before they affect one’s device.
- Check the source – Even if a contact sends an unusual link, verify it is really them by calling or asking before clicking. Accounts can be compromised.
- Search online first – Paste key elements of any link into a search engine to see if others are discussing it as a scam online.
- Visit sites directly – Rather than clicking links, consider visiting known legitimate websites directly through their URL bar.
- Turn off auto-downloads – Having downloads and media auto-saving from WhatsApp could allow malware to slip in unseen via links.
- Install updates – Make sure your WhatsApp, device OS and other apps are updated to their latest versions for better security.
While most WhatsApp links are harmless, users should stay vigilant against potential cyber threats being spread through the platform. Taking basic precautions greatly reduces the risks of ever clicking on something malicious or dangerous on WhatsApp unintentionally.
What to do if you click a suspicious link
If you happen to tap on a dubious link received on WhatsApp, here are some tips on what to do next:
- Close WhatsApp immediately – On mobile, swipe the app away or force close it to stop further activity through the link. On desktop, quit the app.
- Run antivirus scans – Install a reputable antivirus if you don’t have one and perform a full scan to detect and remove any potential malware.
- Reset your device – For severe infections, conduct a factory reset to wipe your device and eliminate malware lurking in system files.
- Change passwords – Update passwords for your WhatsApp account, associated email accounts and payment methods as a precaution.
- Watch for suspicious activity – Closely monitor your accounts and credit cards over the following weeks for signs of misuse indicating your data was compromised.
- Report the message – Make use of WhatsApp’s reporting feature to report the suspicious message to help curb the spread of malicious links.
- Spread awareness – Notify your WhatsApp contacts about potential malware links to prevent others from falling prey.
Acting quickly can help limit or fully neutralize the impact of mistakenly clicking on a bad link. In the event of financial losses or identity theft, you should additionally notify relevant institutions and authorities.
Conclusion
WhatsApp has made staying in touch incredibly convenient, but users should always be cautious with clicking links received through the platform. With cybercriminals actively using WhatsApp to spread scams and malware, it is important to think before tapping any link. Staying vigilant, using security tools, verifying senders and watching for red flags minimizes the chances of ever clicking on something dangerous or falling victim to malicious links on WhatsApp.