GhostPairing is the new invisible threat that can allow strangers to read your WhatsApp messages without you knowing.
In the digital world Today we are used to thinking that cyber threats only come through complex viruses or hacker attacks worthy of a film. In reality, without a shadow of a doubt, the most effective dangers are often the simplest ones.
This is precisely the case with GhostPairinga new technique identified by security researchers at Gen Digital which is putting thousands of WhatsApp accounts at risk by exploiting not a technical flaw, but the trust of users.
This is how they read your messages with GhostPairing
To understand why this attack is so sneaky, we need to start from a fundamental concept: WhatsApp allows you to use it same account on multiple devices. It is a convenient function, in fact it allows you to read and write messages from the browser or from a second phone via WhatsApp Web.
Connecting a new device requires a pairing code generated by the app, a step that users have come to regard as normal and safe.
And this is exactly where the GhostPairing. Cyber criminals don’t break into systems, not intercept SIM and do not violate Meta’s servers. Instead they use social engineering, a technique that focuses entirely on psychological manipulation. In practice, the attack begins when the victim receives a seemingly innocuous message from a trusted contact, perhaps a friend or colleague. That contact, however, has already been compromised.
The message invites you to click a link to access exclusive, confidential or urgent content. Without thinking too much, the user opens the link and finds themselves on a fake page, built to look like one known online resource or reliable. At that point you are asked to enter your phone number and WhatsApp pairing code, presented as necessary steps to access the promised content.
In reality, however, that data is used by the attacker to connect a new device to your account. From that moment, the cyber criminal can read conversations in real time, without blocking access to the legitimate owner. WhatsApp it continues to function normally and the victim receives no obvious warning signals, especially if the spy simply observes and does not intervene.
Il GhostPairing It works so well precisely because it comes from a trusted source and uses familiar procedures. We are used to entering codes, confirming access, verifying identities. However, in this case, every step works against us. And that’s why the user awareness becomes the main defense weapon.
How to defend yourself from a cyber attack
Block right away This kind of attack it is possible, as long as you adopt some fundamental habits. First of all, you have to be wary of links which do not have a clear logic. If a contact wants to share content, why should they link to an external page when they can send it directly to WhatsApp? It’s a simple question, but often decisive.
Likewise, you should never enter personal codes if you are not voluntarily logging in. No exclusive content requires WhatsApp pairing code. Furthermore, it is good practice check periodically which devices are connected to your account. Just enter the app Settings and access the Connected Devices section, where all active sessions are shown.
From note a suspicious accessimmediately disconnecting all devices and changing security settings can avoid major damage. In the end, in fact, digital security does not only depend on technology, but also onattention of those who use it. And in the case of GhostPairingbeing informed really makes a difference.
