Scammers have started the process by delivering a spam link with Rediroff.ru in the URL to WhatsApp users. The user becomes an open book to the hackers once they click on it and follow the instructions.
For a few days now, Rediroff.ru, a deadly WhatsApp scam, has been circulating. Using social engineering tools, fraudsters can gain access to a WhatsApp user’s personal data as well as financial information such as bank and card details. With Rediroff.ru in the URL, the spam link can infect Windows PCs as well as iOS and Android smartphones.
It’s still unclear when the WhatsApp scam began, but it impacted a huge number of people throughout the holiday season by luring users with promises of pricey gifts.
WhatsApp’s payments functionality is currently being rolled out across India’s heartland in a big way.
Working Mechanism
Scammers send a link to WhatsApp users, and when they click on it, they are directed to a website that claims they can win a reward by completing a bogus survey.
The victims are redirected to another website after answering the questions, where they are required to fill out some personal information such as their name, age, address, bank information, and other personal data.
Scammers send a link to WhatsApp users, and when they click on it, they are directed to a website that claims they may win a prize by completing a bogus survey.
They are sent to an another website after answering the questions, where they are requested to fill out some personal information, such as their name, age, residence, bank information, and other personal information.
Malicious Motive
The details entered by the users can be used to make fraudulent transactions or sold on the dark web to criminals.
This personal information of the users can also be used by fraudsters to send them spam and malicious emails. The fraudsters can also install Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) on the user’s device.
Phishing websites analyse the user’s IP address to determine their area, then change the web page’s language and display a variety of fraudulent schemes appropriate for their region.
Threat Mitigation
If a person receives a spam link with Rediroff.ru in the URL, they should report it as spam and delete it as soon as possible. If the users mistakenly click on the malicious web link, then they should scan their devices for any virus or potentially undesirable applications
If the users see any online adverts in locations where they shouldn’t be and are referred to dubious sites when searching for something on a web browser, it implies that the malware has already infected their devices. They should immediately uninstall the suspicious apps from their smartphones at this point.