Even if it is just a harmless hoax, you would at least add to the uncertainty of other users. Under no circumstances should you forward the chain letter and thereby contribute to its distribution. If you have received a chain letter, simply ignore the message and ideally delete it immediately. WhatsApp has also been offering a little help here since summer 2018: An anti-spam function is intended to warn of suspicious links that contain unusual characters, for example. Often you only notice on closer inspection that a letter has been replaced by a special character that looks similar or that another domain is hidden behind the familiar name. Since phishing websites often imitate the websites of well-known companies, the URL should also appear authentic at first glance. Because spam messages are also often used for phishing attacks. You should also look very closely at links that you get via WhatsApp. On the other hand, of course, you cannot rely on error-free messages automatically not counting as spam. Especially when the message supposedly comes from WhatsApp itself or another large company, you should be suspicious of bumpy formulations. Incorrect languageĪ reference to a chain letter can also be the language, which is often flawed in spam messages. In the course of the Corona crisis, WhatsApp has also further restricted the forwarding function in order to reduce false reports. WhatsApp also wants to counteract the spread of spam and chain letters. Since then these have been specially marked. Incidentally, since summer 2018 it has become easier to recognize a forwarded message in WhatsApp. ![]() Conversely, rewards are often promised for spreading the word – which of course you never get. In some cases, these requests are also linked to a threat: if you don’t forward the message, something terrible should happen. In addition to a clumsy “forward this message to x people”, the instruction can also be to warn your friends and acquaintances of a danger. You will therefore often find a phrase in chain letters that aims to ensure that you forward the message to as many contacts as possible. ![]() Then as now, that is exactly the goal: A chain letter should reach as many recipients as possible. How to recognize a chain letterĬhain letters used to be sent by post, today they are sent more digitally, whether by e-mail, Facebook or WhatsApp, where they can be shared without much effort and thus spread rapidly. We explain how you can recognize chain letters and how you can best respond to them. Because in addition to harmless sayings and creepy jokes, a subscription trap or even a Trojan can be hidden behind it. But in the worst case scenario, they can actually cause actual damage to the recipient. These can simply be annoying spam messages. Almost everyone has probably already received a chain letter in WhatsApp.
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