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Have you ever received multiple messages from an unknown sender that caused your WhatsApp to crash? If you have, you were most likely attacked by a WhatsApp Bomber. In this article, I will discuss what WhatsApp Bomber is, how it works, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from it.
What is WhatsApp Bomber Attack?
A WhatsApp Bomber attack is a type of cyber attack where the attacker sends a large number of messages in a short period. The attack aims to overpower the recipient’s device and cause it to freeze or crash. The messages can be anything from a simple text message to a large file like an image or video.
How it Works?
This attack works by exploiting the way WhatsApp handles incoming messages. When a message arrives, WhatsApp checks the message’s content and displays it on the recipient’s device. If the message contains a malicious payload, the app can crash or become unresponsive. this can affect both Android and iOS.
Types of WhatsApp Bomber
These types include:
- Text Bomb: sends a massive amount of text to a particular number or group.
- Emoji Bomb: sends an enormous number of emojis to a particular number or group.
- Contact Bomb: sends a massive amount of contacts to a particular number or group.
- Link Bomb: sends a vast number of links to a particular number or group.
How to Protect Yourself from WhatsApp Bomber?
If you are a victim of the WhatsApp Bombing, then you can follow the simple steps given below to recover your WhatsApp:
Force Stop WhatsApp
The first step is to force stop WhatsApp. This will close the app and stop any background processes that may be causing the issue.
To force stop WhatsApp on an Android phone, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp and tap the “Force stop” button.
On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > WhatsApp and tap the “Offload App” button.
Restart your phone
Restarting your phone will help you stop the attack and your phone will recover from the crash.
Delete Chat
The next step is to delete the chat. This will remove all the messages from the chat and free up space on your phone.
To delete a chat on WhatsApp, swipe left on the chat and tap “Delete”.
Block the Sender
The next step is to block the sender whether you know him or not. This will prevent them from sending you any more messages.
To block a contact on WhatsApp, open the chat with the person you want to block, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select “More” > “Block”.
Report the Sender
If the person sending the messages is someone you don’t know or if they are harassing you, you can report them to WhatsApp. To report a contact on WhatsApp, open the chat with the person you want to report, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select “More” > “Report”.
Disable Auto-download media
WhatsApp automatically downloads media files like images, videos, and documents as soon as they arrive. This feature can be exploited by attackers to send malicious files that can harm your device. It is advisable to disable auto-download media in WhatsApp.
To disable auto-download media, go to Settings > Storage and data > When using mobile data/Wi-Fi, and uncheck all media types.
Avoid Joining Unknown Groups
Avoid joining unknown and spammy groups. Attackers find your number from these groups and attack you.
Keep Your App Updated
Keeping your WhatsApp app updated is another important step in protecting yourself from a WhatsApp bomber. Updates often include security patches and bug fixes that can help prevent attacks.
Conclusion
A WhatsApp bomber can be a frustrating and potentially dangerous threat. However, by following the steps outlined in this article, you can protect yourself and minimize the risk of becoming a victim.
