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How do Emojis Become a Scam Tool?
Emojis have transformed the way we communicate, making it more visual and expressive. However, criminals have found an ingenious way to turn these cute icons into a powerful digital scamming tool. Through advanced techniques, hackers can hide malicious code in emojis, allowing them to access private data without the victim noticing.
Cybersecurity expert Paul Butler, quoted by ComputerHoy, revealed that emojis can be manipulated to include suspicious information without altering their appearance. This means that when a person sends or receives a seemingly harmless emoji, they may be allowing malware to enter or exposing their personal data without realizing it.
The Scam Behind Emojis
Cybersecurity experts have discovered that hackers have perfected a tactic in which they manipulate the data transmitted by an emoji to include hidden code. This allows them to:
- Extract personal and financial information, such as passwords and bank details.
- Infect devices with malware without the need for suspicious links or visible downloads.
- Access private accounts by modifying data in digital communication.
This type of attack has been detected in platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok and Instagram, where emojis are frequently used. The combination of these platforms with artificial intelligence allows hackers to automate the propagation of these malicious codes, reaching thousands of users in a short time.
Case Studies and Methods Used avoid scam
Some reports indicate that criminals have used emojis to disguise phishing attacks. For example:
- On WhatsApp, users have received messages with emojis that, when clicked, redirect to fake pages requesting login credentials.
- On TikTok, some fake accounts send comments with deceptive emojis that hide shortened links to fraudulent sites.
- On Instagram, some attackers use emojis in sponsored posts to redirect to phishing sites without being detected by the platform’s filter.
- In emails, messages with emojis strategically placed to hide malicious instructions within the message code have been detected.
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How to Detect and Avoid Being a Victim of This Scam
To avoid falling into this digital trap, it is important to follow some recommendations:
Basic Safety Measures:
- Do not open messages from unknown contacts, especially if they contain emojis without context or suspicious strings.
- Avoid downloading suspicious files or images from unverified sources.
- Keep your applications and operating system updated, as the most recent versions include security patches against this type of attack.
- Disable automatic link previews in messaging apps.
- Do not trust messages that use emojis excessively, as they may be an attempt to hide malicious content.
Protection in Social Networks and Messaging Apps:
- Configure the privacy settings of your accounts to avoid receiving messages from strangers to avoid scam
- Use security tools such as antivirus and phishing protection.
- Do not share sensitive data through emojis, messages or unknown links.
- Enable two-step verification on all your accounts for added protection.
- Be suspicious of promotions or sweepstakes that use emojis to attract attention and always verify the authenticity of the source.
Conclusion
This new emoji scam technique proves that criminals always find creative ways to attack unsuspecting users. The best defense is information and prevention. If you notice suspicious activity in your chats, avoid interacting and report the incident.
Emojis, once considered a fun and harmless form of communication, can now be a double-edged sword. Digital security is everyone’s responsibility, and being informed is the first step to protecting yourself.
