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WhatsApp scam bypasses passwords using six-digit code

By PulseAugur Editorial · [2 sources] ·

A new WhatsApp scam is circulating that bypasses traditional password security by leveraging social engineering and a six-digit verification code. Attackers trick users into authorizing a new device link, granting them access to send messages, read chats, and steal personal information. Security experts at Malwarebytes Labs have confirmed these "vote for my friend" scams, which exploit WhatsApp's legitimate device linking feature to compromise accounts. AI

IMPACT This scam highlights the ongoing risks of social engineering and the need for user vigilance in digital communication platforms.

RANK_REASON This is a report on a security vulnerability and scam affecting a widely used application, but not a new product release or core AI research.

Read on Forbes — Innovation →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 2 sources. How we write summaries →

WhatsApp scam bypasses passwords using six-digit code

How we ranked this

Signal score
0 / 100
Composite score across the factors below. Higher = stronger signal that this story matters right now.
Newsworthiness bucket
Tool
This is a report on a security vulnerability and scam affecting a widely used application, but not a new product release or core AI research.
Source corroboration
2 independent sources
Multiple independent publishers reporting the same story raises confidence that it's real and newsworthy.
Topics
product, other
Editorial topic classification. Feeds into how the story surfaces on /topic/<slug> hub pages and into the per-entity coverage mix.
AI-industry relevance
Low
Off-topic or adjacent — cluster remains reachable but doesn't surface in AI-industry rankings.
Story freshness
47 days old
Aged out of breaking-news scoring windows; ranking reflects the durable signal from the full source set.

Full methodology in our editorial standards.

COVERAGE [2]

  1. Forbes — Innovation TIER_1 English(EN) · Davey Winder, Senior Contributor ·

    WhatsApp Scam Bypasses Passwords Using 6 Digit Code To Access Accounts

    Security experts have warned that an ongoing WhatsApp attack campaign doesn’t require your password to access your account. Here’s what you need to know.

  2. Forbes — Innovation TIER_1 English(EN) · Davey Winder, Senior Contributor ·

    WhatsApp Scam Bypasses Passwords Using 6 Digit Code To Access Accounts

    Security experts have warned that an ongoing WhatsApp attack campaign doesn’t require your password to access your account. Here’s what you need to know.

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