In today`s interconnected world, where instant messengers have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, cyber fraud is alarmingly on the rise. Experts warn that users of popular platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp must exercise extreme vigilance. Evgeny Yanov, the Head of the Audit and Consulting Department at F6, recently shared crucial advice on how to effectively identify and prevent scam attempts.
Recognizing Suspicious Behavior
The first and most critical principle is to pay close attention to any unusual behavior from your contacts. Yanov emphasizes that any deviation from their typical communication style should immediately raise a red flag. For example, if a friend or colleague with whom you usually interact informally suddenly adopts a formal tone or addresses you by your full name, this is a clear sign that something might be amiss.
Additionally, you should be wary if mass messages begin to appear in group chats (whether corporate, family, or school-related) containing any of the following:
- Urgent pleas for financial assistance.
- Unrealistic offers of quick and effortless money.
- Suspicious links or unexpected files.
- Requests to vote for someone in an online contest.
It`s important to note that malicious actors frequently utilize both compromised accounts and meticulously crafted fake profiles to deceive unsuspecting users.
Golden Rules of Digital Security
Evgeny Yanov outlines several universal rules that are essential for avoiding common scam traps:
- Maintain Skepticism: Every message that demands immediate action from you or requests personal or account information should be scrutinized with a critical eye.
- Safeguard Personal Data: Under no circumstances should you ever disclose sensitive personal information such as your full name, passport details, bank card numbers, or any other confidential data.
- Avoid Platform Switching: Absolutely refuse any offers to continue conversations or perform actions on external websites or different messaging platforms, even if presented as a matter of convenience or necessity.
Configuring Messenger Security Settings
To significantly enhance the security of your accounts, the expert strongly recommends activating two-factor authentication (2FA) across all your messaging applications:
- Telegram: This vital security feature can be found within the privacy settings.
- WhatsApp: Look for the “Passkeys” feature, which is located in the “Account” section.
Beyond 2FA, consider setting an additional password specifically for logging into the application itself, adding an extra layer of protection:
- Telegram: Utilize the “Passcode” option.
- WhatsApp: Activate “Two-step verification.”
Stay vigilant and always remember that your digital security largely rests in your own hands. It`s worth noting that a new scam targeting Russians has recently emerged, where fraudsters impersonate marketplace employees calling residents about a supposed delivery in the victim`s name, with the aim of extracting personal data or money.
Clement Ashworth 
Barnaby Whitfield