So, this other day I get a forwarded message from a friend early in the morning. I thought it was the usual good morning message but it was not and read as follows:
“Adidas is giving away 3000 Free Pair of Shoes to celebrate its 93rd anniversary. Get your free shoes at <link>”
It didn’t take me long to deduce that this message was part of a scam – thanks to my profession. But, to other users (like my friend here), such messages may appear genuine. So, I told my friend that the message was fake and not to forward it any further. Later, I did these 3 things.
1) I checked the actual link
I copied the link and paste it to my ‘notes’ app. As you can see, on the outside, the link reads https://adidas.com but the actual URL is https://xn--adids-m11b.com/ – which, in any way, does not look like it is related to Adidas.
When I clicked on the link (in a safe environment), it took me to a page that was not loading and displayed an error message. But, it is safe to assume that the page was designed to steal personal information or bank details or drop a malware on the device.
2) I ran the link on https://www.scamadviser.com
Scamadvisor.com helps check if a website is safe or not. The result for my link was as I had expected:
• Suspicious
• Hidden identity
3) I visited the official website of Adidas
As a rule of thumb, I visited www.adidas.com (co.in as well) to verify the offer advertised in the message. And for obvious reasons, I could not find anything related to it – because there was not any offer in the first place.
So, what do we take away from this post?
• Never act on messages that urge you to click on a link – especially when they talk about offers (discounts, contests, promotions, etc.)
• Follow the steps mentioned in this post to verify the source and authenticity of such messages.
• If you receive such messages from a friend, advise them not to act (click on a link or reply) and not to share them with their contacts.
• If you have received such a message from an unknown number, consider blocking it.
• Install a mobile antivirus app that can block your access to harmful websites and installation of infected apps.
WhatsApp Anti-Spam feature
Given the popularity of WhatsApp across the world, it is no wonder that scammers are trying to use this app to widen their kill zone. In-mid Jan 2018, news emerged that WhatsApp is testing a new anti-spam feature which will help users stay away from spam messages (like the ones discussed in this post). This feature will be developed for both iOS and Android. So, let’s hope the feature is rolled out soon and gives us a break from such pesky, unworldly scams!
You may read more about this anti-spam feature here
If you found this post helpful, then share it with your friends on Facebook, WhatsApp (on mobile) or Twitter by using the share buttons below. Stay safe!
50 Comments
thank you for the information it will help many
Thank you Rajib, This helps. QH Awesome software, beautiful creation.
Nowadays, the hand phone is so vulnerable to such attacks. The messages are so convincing and appears to be so genuine that the user might get carried away.
Thanks for the article!
Thanks to you i had also shared this scam but when i had to choose my shoe size then it fails
HELP ME
VERY INFORMATIVE, EYE OPENER AND TIMELY MESSAGE.
I ALSO RECD. SUCH MESSAGE BUT DIDN’T OPENED IT.
THANX RAJIB
Good Information.
Thanks for ur advice
I liked the content.
Please also let me know how shall I be able to share whatsapp mobile to alert others
Thanks Rajib for your valuable post. I will inform my Contacts.
A very good initiative. We are also able to learn to check the actual link by copying it and pasting it on notepad.
Thanks Rajib for alerting us and providing indepth info.
hello
I did click on the link twice but since it did not open so I had to discontinue. Is it still unsafe?
thanks
Nice
thanks
DHANYABAD
SIR I AM GLAD USING THIS SOFTWARE
thank for giving information about fack commitment on whatsapp
Good post in interest of public.
thanks
very recently I received a message in whatsapp from an unknown number starting with 1234… ending with my mobile no stating it as international telegraph check. As it was suspicious I had to delete my whatsapp account and had to reset my handset to factory data setting. Don’t know if it is safe enogh or not.
Sir,
your article is very good.I will be aware in future to click in these lucratibe sites.
Sincerely,
Anirudha Ganguly
It’s really a very good knowledge point
Thanks
There r very very good antivirus. Please used.. Thank so much .
sir i clicked this type of link……..please help me what should i do now
It’s encouraging to know about cyber security. Your article is very helpful. Please intimate us more.
Thanks for informing for the news sir.
Good service
good job @ Rajib
Posted article is very helpful to understand a fraud.
thanks for alerting to us.
regds,
rajendra saindane
Thanks for your informetion
Great. Thanks for the alert, Rajib. Appreciate for promoting such cyber security awareness. Looking forward to more…
It’s a nice app
nice
Thank you Rajib .
I ALSO WAIT THIS SOFTWARE WHOES WHTSAP ANTI SPAM
LIKE IT
Quick heal antivirus is the best for my a droid
Quick heal is the best antivirus fot my android
i am satisfied.
I appreciate your gesture… keeping blogging..
Thanks
i want to know my subscription date of q heal
Hi Usman,
Open Quick Heal
Go to Help > About > License Details
this app is awesome
Thank you, Mr Singha for the timely warning!
very nice nature, super! super! super……………….
i checked his again and now the location is pakistan.
loving quick heal total security.thumbs up.