In Nigeria, WhatsApp is more than just a messaging app—it’s the heartbeat of daily life, connecting families, friends, and businesses nationwide. Yet, in recent months, a surge in WhatsApp hacks has disrupted lives, leaving victims embarrassed, financially strained, and deeply distrustful of digital platforms.

The attacks often follow a predictable pattern. A victim receives a message, perhaps from a friend or colleague, asking for a verification code. Unaware of the deception, they share the code, unknowingly giving hackers access to their WhatsApp account. From there, the hackers impersonate the victim, sending messages to their contacts and groups, urgently soliciting money.

For many Nigerians, the consequences are devastating. In a country where social reputation carries immense weight, the embarrassment of being linked to such scams is just the beginning. Sensitive data harvested from chat histories can lead to identity theft and further financial exploitation.

A timely warning for Nigerians
THE timing of these attacks is no coincidence. January is a financially sensitive period as many Nigerians recover from heavy Christmas and New Year expenditures. This vulnerability makes people more susceptible to emotional manipulation and urgent requests for money.

Take the case of Bola, a businesswoman in Lagos. Her WhatsApp was hacked last December, and within hours, fake messages soliciting funds were sent to her clients. “I felt helpless,” Bola shared. “Not only did I lose access to my account, but I also had to explain to everyone that it wasn’t me.”

Statistics back up this alarming trend. In 2023, cyberattacks on digital platforms in Nigeria increased by 30 per cent, with a significant portion involving social engineering tactics like phishing and impersonation. While WhatsApp itself is a secure platform with end-to-end encryption, user vulnerabilities often become the entry point for these attacks.

Who is responsible?
THE blame for these incidents is shared across several fronts:
•Users: Many people are unaware of basic cybersecurity practices, such as enabling two-step verification or recognizing phishing attempts.
•Tech Companies: Platforms like WhatsApp could do more to educate users and implement stronger account recovery protocols.
•Hackers: Ultimately, these criminals exploit the digital ecosystem for financial and personal gain, often with sophisticated social engineering tactics.

https://guardian.ng/technology/rise-of-whatsapp-hacks-how-nigerians-can-stay-ahead/