The Risk: Regardless of how the data is obtained, the news highlights the significant risk to users. These leaked/scraped phone numbers can be used by malicious actors for:
Phishing/Smishing: Sending fraudulent text messages or WhatsApp messages to trick users into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links.
Vishing: Voice phishing, where scammers call users.
Impersonation and Fraud: Using the numbers to pretend to be someone else.
Spam: Adding numbers to lists for unwanted marketing or communication.
Advice: News articles and security experts morocco whatsapp number data consistently advise users to be extremely cautious of messages from unknown numbers, never share verification codes, and enable two-step verification on WhatsApp. Enable Two-Step Verification (2FA) on WhatsApp: This is the most crucial step. It adds a personal PIN to your account. Even if someone gets your SMS verification code, they cannot activate WhatsApp with your number without this PIN.
Never Share Verification Codes: WhatsApp will never ask you for your 6-digit SMS verification code. If anyone asks for it (even a "friend" or "family member"), it's a scam to take over your account.
Silence Unknown Callers: Use WhatsApp's "Silence Unknown Callers" feature to avoid interruptions from potential spam and scam calls.
Be Skeptical of Unusual Requests: If a friend or family member suddenly asks for money or verification codes, call them on the phone (don't reply on WhatsApp) to verify their identity.
Report and Block Suspicious Contacts: Use WhatsApp's built-in features to report and block unwanted or suspicious numbers.
Review Privacy Settings: Adjust your "Last Seen," "Profile Photo," and "About" status to "My Contacts" or "Nobody" to limit visibility to strangers.
Consider a "Disposable Number" (Emerging News/Advice): Some privacy advocates and tech sites suggest using a separate, disposable or secondary phone number for online registrations or less trusted interactions to protect your primary number from exposure.