The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has warned Nigerians to be cautious when using WhatsApp because their data may have been compromised as a result of a recent alleged breach on the platform.
According to unconfirmed reports, nearly 500 million WhatsApp users’ mobile phone numbers were recently leaked in a global data breach on the platform.
While WhatsApp has yet to confirm or deny the alleged breach, NITDA stated that it became necessary to alert over 9 million Nigerian WhatsApp users.
While noting that the breach foreshadows danger for WhatsApp users, NITDA stated:
“Following the alleged leak of nearly 500 million Whatsapp users’ mobile phone numbers globally which includes over 9 million contacts from Nigeria, there is an impending danger of threat actors using these data to carry out malicious activities, which may put users at great risk.
“Such information could be used to perpetrate cyber-attacks such as smishing and vishing,” it added.
Smishing and Vishing: Smishing involves sending an unsuspecting user text message(s) and asking them to click on links or provide personal information that can be used to scam victims or launch other attacks, according to NITDA.
Vishing, on the other hand, involves cyber criminals using phone calls or voice messages to manipulate or deceive unsuspecting recipients into revealing or giving out sensitive information that could be used to commit fraud.
Some preventative measures include: To avoid becoming a victim, NITDA advised WhatsApp users in Nigeria to do the following:
- Enable two-factor authentication in your messaging app.
- Don’t include any personal information in your profile.
- Do not respond to messages or phone calls from untrusted or unknown contacts requesting your data, passwords, or other verification codes.
Users of all instant messaging platforms should also be wary of unsolicited calls, voice notes, and messages from unknown numbers, according to the agency.
