Many of us practically break out in hives if we’re outside the cellphone or WiFi reception range, while others are at their happiest in the middle of nowhere with no cellphone tower in sight. If you fall into the first category, you’re probably a devoted WhatsApp user.
The good news is that, from the end of January, WhatsApp will not only be limited to your phone, but also on your tablet or PC. Whatsapp Web gives users the convenience of sending and receiving messages via a website.
Your chats will be automatically synchronised between your phone and PC. The only limitation at this stage is Google Chrome as prerequisite. If you’d like to use WhatsApp on your PC, you’ll find detailed instruction on Cnet, as well as an instructional video.
Unfortunately with the convenience and accessibility of WhatsApp also comes risk. If you use WhatsApp on a regular basis, look out for the following scams.
A new Wangiri campaign, where users are encouraged to make expensive international calls, is doing the rounds. Wangiri is a type of cellphone fraud where the perpetrator randomly calls cell numbers and puts down the phone after one ring. A missed call shows on the victim’s phone and he calls back since he believes the call was intended for him. In actual fact he’s calling a very expensive premium number.
In this instance WhatsApp users receive a message with a contact card attached and the message asks the cellphone owner call back. Read more on this scam here.
A second example is an SMS campaign which could cost WhatsApp users R210-00 a month. An SMS with the following wording is received:
“You have not updated to the latest WhatsApp add-ons. Click here now [URL]. (Free MSG) 31655 optout dial 0110621424”.
A link guides users to a screen with the message “Update your wall 4 WhatsApp”. Fine print below indicates that you’re actually subscribing to a social network called Buddiechat, which will cost you R7-00 per day.
WhatsApp users unknowingly click on the link because they believe it’s legitimate WhatsApp communication or because they’re too preoccupied to read. Read the full article on mybroadband.
