How Safe are Video Messaging Apps?

Our increased use of video messaging apps has not gone unnoticed by cybercriminals, who are seeking to exploit the increase of use by sending phishing emails, social media scam messages and even scam text messages, with fake invitations to video messaging app meetings.

Typically, these scam messages will entice you into either opening a malicious attachment or to click a weblink which directs to a malicious website. The ultimate aim of these cyberattacks is to deliver malicious software, such as ransomware which locks your PC and demands a ransom payment to unlock, scam a payment, or steal your personal information which can be resold to other cybercriminals on the dark web.

So, never open an attachment or click on any links within any unexpected or suspicious emails, social media messages and text messages.

The next piece of advice is to ensure your video messaging app is always kept up-to-date. Luckily most modern smartphones and computer operating systems will automatically update your apps, but it is always worth double-checking and not to suppress any app updates from occurring, as often the app updates are fixing security flaws.

And finally, on home computers and laptops, when not using video messaging apps, either cover your webcam with a piece of tape, or face your webcam towards a wall or ceiling, just in case your computer is covertly compromised and a malicious actor gains access to your computer’s webcam.