GhostPairing: Ghost Pairing.. Did you get this message on WhatsApp?

• ABC MEDIUM
• ABC LARGE
• ABC EXTRA LARGE

Internet Desk: In this age of tech, cybercriminals are emerging in new ways all the time. In this background, a new type of fraud targeting WhatsApp users has come to light. Device Linking feature is misused and user accounts are infiltrated. Tech experts call it Ghost Pairing. He warned that the scammers are doing their work without stealing the details of passwords, verification codes and SIM cards. 

Social engineering plays a key role in this ghost pairing. Scammers trick the user to connect with a fraudulent device through WhatsApp (WhatsApp scam). This fraud is difficult to detect. This scam starts with a message like 'Hey, I just found your photo!' from known contacts. A link is embedded in the message. After that, a fake webpage will be displayed that resembles the Facebook photo viewer. In order to see its content, you have to verify it first. Although it looks like this on the surface.. the device pairing process starts internally. Then the user will get a request to enter the phone number.

• Who is using your account?

After that WhatsApp will generate a numeric pairing code. The fake page will show an instruction to enter this code on WhatsApp ( Whatsapp). It states that this is all part of the security checks. After entering this code, we will connect with the scammer device without our knowledge. With this, the entire WhatsApp web access goes into the hands of the hacker. Reads all the victim's messages. Sends messages to others as sent by the user. All this violation is done unconsciously. 

This ghost pairing was first spotted in the Czech Republic. Experts warn that it may not stop here. It is mentioned that there is a possibility of sending those fraudulent links to contacts and group chats using accounts already caught in the hands of hackers. A linked device remains active until the user manually removes it. The user remains infringed until they recognize it. Experts have warned that in cases like ghost pairing, attacks are targeted at psychological behavior like trust, fear and need of people rather than software errors. Scammers understand human behavior for this. It tricks the user into revealing confidential information. This is called social engineering. 

If you don't want to get caught in such scams..?

• Sometimes you should go to the settings in WhatsApp and check the linked device option. Note that any unknown devices are linked.
• Be alert to requests such as scan QR code or enter pairing codes.
• Check any messages from known contacts carefully. Also enable two step verification for added security. 
href="https://x.com/eenadulivenews/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter, Instagram& Google News. Tags :Published : 20 Dec 2025 13:05 IST

Note:Advertisements appearing on Eenadu.net are different It comes from businessmen and organizations in countries. Some ads are sent with artificial intelligence based on the reader's preferences. Readers should exercise due care and make appropriate inquiries about products or services before purchasing. The respective products/ OWNER TODAY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE QUALITY OR FAILURES OF THE SERVICES. There is no room for correspondence in this matter.

more

• Musk as the first trillionaire? Kubera towards the record Elon Musk: Musk is likely to become a trillionaire this year. 
• Rs.40 lakh crore cash in circulation Even as the digital payments revolution continues in the country, the use of cash in the hands of people is increasing at the same rate.
• Learn AI tools for employment. Tech industry giants offer reassuring advice to software workers worried about job losses due to artificial intelligence (AI). He said, 'Keep calm, improve your skills.'
• Rs. 36 lakh crore opportunities for our agriculture sector. A senior central government official has claimed that due to the trade agreements signed with the US and the European Union (EU), India's agriculture sector will get $400 billion (about Rs. 36 lakh crore) opportunities. The stock market ended with gains on Monday due to the performance of power, banking and financial sector shares. Due to the effect of US-Iran talks, the positive movement of international oil prices has strengthened the market sentiment.
• Rs. 215 lakh crore retail market by 2035 According to a report, the market size of our country's Indian retail sector is likely to reach Rs.210-215 lakh crores by 2035. Compared to the level of Rs.90-95 lakh crore in 2025, this value is more than double.
• Wholesale prices have also increased. Inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose for the third month in a row and was recorded at 1.18 percent in January. The reason for this is that food, non-food products and manufactured goods are dear.
• Rs 5 lakh fine on Snapdeal Delhi court issues notices to 12 firms, including Venugopal Dhoot, for violating the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, for selling toys that do not conform to the certification of the Board of Indian Standards (BIS). Videocon group promoter Venugopal Dhoot, who committed a Rs 61,700 crore bank loan fraud as part of financing the company's oil and gas assets in Mozambique, and a dozen of the group's affiliates, will be brought before the Delhi court..
• Today Tina Ambani before the ED! Former actress Tina Ambani, wife of Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani, is likely to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday in connection with the money laundering case.
• Brief News (9) JSW MG Motor India plans to launch 4 new models this year. Among them is a plug-in hybrid SUV.