WhatsApp Scams Surge in 2026; Users Urged to Enable Strict Security and Two‑Step Verification
New WhatsApp frauds with malicious links and APK files threaten accounts and bank data; experts recommend activating Strict Account Settings and two‑step verification to protect against scams and hijacking.
Pune | February 07, 2026: Cybersecurity risks on WhatsApp are escalating in 2026, with millions of users reportedly falling prey to fraudulent messages that can empty bank accounts or compromise personal data if malicious links or APK files are opened.
According to recent reports, scammers are exploiting festive greetings and suspicious attachments sent via WhatsApp to trick users into downloading malware, resulting in serious financial and privacy threats. These scam messages often arrive unexpectedly, appearing to be harmless greetings but containing dangerous links or files that install harmful software once interacted with.
To counteract these growing threats, cybersecurity experts and WhatsApp itself are urging users to adopt enhanced security settings. A key recommendation is enabling the app’s new Strict Account Settings feature, which helps block media and file attachments from unknown senders, silence calls from unsaved numbers, and restrict link previews that might direct users to malicious websites. This advanced security layer, found under Settings > Privacy > Advanced, is designed to significantly reduce exposure to scams and hacking attempts.
In addition to stricter account controls, financial safety advocates emphasize enabling two‑step verification, a built‑in WhatsApp option that adds a PIN requirement when registering your phone number on a new device. This additional authentication step makes it much harder for scammers to take over accounts, even if they manage to obtain a one‑time verification code.
Users are also advised to be cautious about clicking on unsolicited links, avoid downloading unfamiliar files, and never share their verification codes with anyone. Regularly updating the app and reviewing linked devices for suspicious sessions can further strengthen account protection.WhatsApp’s push for stricter defaults and enhanced user‑controlled security reflects an ongoing effort to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics as digital threats continue to evolve worldwide.
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