New Delhi . India’s cyber security agency CERT-In has issued an important security warning for people using WhatsApp Web. According to the agency, cyber criminals are targeting computers and laptops by spreading malware in a new way. Through this attack, users’ personal information, passwords and banking data can be stolen. In such a situation, all people using WhatsApp Web have been advised to be extra cautious.

According to the agency, the biggest challenge of this cyber attack is that the suspicious file is not sent from an unknown number, but from a hacked WhatsApp account of an acquaintance, relative or colleague of the user. Due to messages coming from trusted contacts, most people download or open the file without checking, due to which their system becomes vulnerable to malware.

Cyber ​​criminals first hack a person’s WhatsApp account and then send a special type of file to the people in his contact list through the same account. This file looks like a normal document or photo, but it actually contains a harmful script hidden in it. In most cases this file is a VBScript file with ‘.vbs’ extension, which becomes active in the background when clicked.

As soon as the user opens this file on his computer, malware can get installed in the system and access many sensitive information. After this, secure passwords, social media account information, banking credentials, data saved in the browser and other personal files in the computer can reach the servers of cyber criminals. This increases the risk of financial loss as well as misuse of personal information.

CERT-In has advised users not to open the .VBS file that comes with any WhatsApp message without verification. If an acquaintance sends such a file, first contact him through a phone call or any other secure means to ensure that the file has actually been sent by him. Trusting a message just by looking at it can be risky.

The agency also said that reliable antivirus software should be used on computers and kept updated regularly. Also, the operating system and other essential software should also be used with the latest security updates, so that the protection against possible cyber attacks remains strong.

If a person becomes a victim of this type of cyber fraud or gets information about any suspicious activity, he should immediately lodge a complaint on the National Cyber ​​Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber ​​Crime Portal along with informing the concerned bank. Making a complaint in time increases the chances of reducing financial losses and taking prompt action against cyber criminals. Safe use of WhatsApp Web and staying away from suspicious files is considered to be the most effective way to protect against such cyber attacks.