The origin of the bizarre "hello" text messages.

Anonymous messages with greetings like "hello" or "hi" are suddenly appearing across the country, leaving people feeling confused and concerned about their origins.

Similar incidents to this phenomenon are also happening with regular text messages.

An example of a rewritten sentence is: "Bruce from Lititz, Pennsylvania, reached out to us with a query about the sudden influx of anonymous 'hello' messages on his WhatsApp."

What are the possible reasons for these unsolicited messages, how did they obtain your number, and what steps can you take to safeguard yourself from potential scams?

Why is this happening?

The growing number of spam and scam attempts is one of the main reasons for these messages. Cybercriminals are constantly changing their tactics, and a seemingly harmless "hello" could be their latest strategy. It's also possible that messages are accidentally sent to the wrong inbox due to a simple typing error.

Scammers frequently begin with a friendly greeting to establish trust before attempting to obtain personal information.

How did they get your number in the first place?

Unknown contacts sending unexpected messages can leave you questioning how they obtained your phone number. Several methods can cause this, including data breaches that leak personal information, including phone numbers, online.

Social media platforms can also be used by scammers to obtain contact information, and if you've participated in contests or giveaways, your information may have been sold to third parties without your consent.

Unwanted communications may result from someone accidentally sharing your number, which can be prevented by being aware of the potential sources and taking proactive measures to safeguard your privacy.

How to protect yourself

To protect your personal information and prevent scams, consider implementing these six essential measures in response to the increasing prevalence of anonymous messages.

1. Block and report suspicious contacts

Don't respond to suspicious text messages and report them. Here's how to do it on different platforms:

On Android:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

• Open the conversation with the suspicious contact
• Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner
• Select More or Details
• Click Block & report scam
• Tap OK to confirm your decision

On iPhone:

• Open the chat with the suspicious contact
• Tap the contact's number at the top of the screen
• Then click the info menu
• Scroll down and select Block Caller
• Choose Block Contact

On WhatsApp:

• Open the conversation and click the contact name
• Scroll down and select Block
• Click Block to confirm

2. Have strong antivirus software

To safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information, it is recommended to install strong antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Here are my top picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

3. Regularly update your passwords

To safeguard your accounts, use complex passwords and update them frequently. You can also employ a password manager to generate and store secure passwords. This can help shield your data in the event of a security breach.

4. Keep your devices updated

Updating your smartphone's operating system and apps regularly is important as it provides security patches against new threats.

5. Invest in personal data removal services

Having a data removal service can be beneficial if you want to consistently monitor and automate the process of removing your information from numerous websites over an extended period of time. Here are my top recommendations for data removal services.

6. Be cautious with personal information

Be cautious about sharing personal information on public forums, social media platforms, or websites with weak privacy measures, as scammers often use these platforms to gather information and target potential victims.

Be cautious when sharing your phone number online and only provide it to reputable organizations and trusted individuals. Verify the legitimacy and security of the website before entering your phone number, and look for signs such as HTTPS in the URL and read reviews or feedback from other users.

Kurt's key takeaways

Anonymous messages can be unsettling, but taking proactive steps to protect your personal information can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to scams.

Have you ever received anonymous messages like these? Share your story with us and let us know how you handled it. Please write to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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