Tech Tiwala: Missed Call, Hacked Phone? The WhatsApp Warning and What Pinoys Should Do (Now)

Holiday mode na, 13th‑month pay in, and scammer energy is high. Recent advisories say attackers can abuse WhatsApp call features to compromise a device—even if you don’t pick up—using so‑called “zero‑click” exploits. These are rare but real. So, paano tayo mag‑iingat without panic?

This time, tutukan natin ang phone at WhatsApp settings na puwedeng i-toggle in minutes to minimize WhatsApp call scams—practical, mabilis, at walang drama. Let’s turn anxiety into action.

Us and the attackers

Attackers hunt for tiny software cracks. If your WhatsApp or phone is outdated, a simple missed call or message might poke that crack and run spyware. The good news: once you patch (update), that crack usually closes. Security is tiwala built one update at a time.

Your 10‑minute safety setup

1) Update everything.

• WhatsApp: Open App Store/Play Store → search WhatsApp → Update.

• Phone OS: iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update → Update Now.

• Android (steps vary): Settings → Security/Software Update → Check for updates.
  Tip: Turn on auto‑updates so bayanihan with your future self.

2) Silence unknown callers in WhatsApp.

WhatsApp → Settings → Privacy → Calls → Silence unknown callers (ON).

This still shows the call in the log, pero tahimik—less pressure to answer.

3) Lock your WhatsApp with a PIN.

·WhatsApp → Settings → Account → Two‑step verification → Enable.

·Choose a 6‑digit PIN + recovery email. Huwag birthday or plate number.

4) Turn on Security Notifications.

·WhatsApp → Settings → Account → Security notifications (ON).

·You’ll be alerted when a contact’s security code changes—handy vs. impostors.

5) Audit Linked Devices.

·WhatsApp → Linked devices → sign out of anything di mo kilala.

·Add device only from inside WhatsApp (no random QR from email/website!).

6) Control who can add you to groups.

·WhatsApp → Settings → Privacy → Groups → My Contacts Except… → select All.

·This blocks strangers from auto‑adding you to spammy groups.

7) Block + report suspicious numbers.

In the chat header → Block → Report. Reports help shut down campaigns.

Family & SME “call-back + codeword” rule

Naku!Lalo na sa mga naghihingi ng padala.For families, freelancers, at SMEs, create a codeword known only to your team (e.g., “sinigang”).

Any urgent money/OTP request via call or chat must pass:

(a)Hang up → (b) call back using the official number saved in your contacts → (c) ask for the codeword. Walang codeword, walang padala. This simple habit kills a lot of budol.

If you suspect your phone was targeted

1. Update WhatsApp and your OS first.

2. Review Linked Devices and log out unknown sessions.

3. Change critical passwords (email, banking) on a separate, clean device.

4. Run a mobile security scan (from a reputable vendor) if available.

5. Backup, then consider a factory reset as last resort (after patching) to flush persistent malware.

6. For high‑risk roles (public figures, journalists), consult a trusted incident response team.

Travelers & QR hygiene

Quishing (QR phishing) is rising. Don’t scan random QR from stickers, parcels, or bathroom doors. For eSIMs, activate only via your telco’s app/official email; never from forwarded images.

The spirit of bayanihan online

Cybersecurity is communal. Share this checklist sa family GC, church/club Viber, or office Teams channel. The more updated your circle, the fewer openings for attackers.

Bottom line: Missed‑call hacks grab headlines, but everyday defenses—updates, PINs, and calm verification—block most attacks. Protect your 13th‑month joy, not just your phone.

Cybersecurity is not just IT—it's tiwala. Build it. Protect it. Live it every day.

Join the conversation — tag your cyber-helper friend and share your story with #CyberBayanihan.

Click with care.

(For comments and suggestions, e-mail TFCN at [email protected].)

Meet Irene Corpuz — cybersecurity expert, digital guardian, and certified tech translator. She’s the bridge between geeks and the rest of us — helping every Filipino make sense of the digital world. Forget the tech jargon and endless acronyms — si Irene ang gabay mo sa online world, sa plain, human language. Kung dati ang “phishing” ay tungkol sa isda, ngayon malalaman mong scam pala ‘yung nag-aalok ng libreng iPhone. Through Tech Tiwala: Click with Care, Irene turns complex cybersecurity ideas into everyday wisdom — because every click is an act of tiwala. And that’s the kind of security that can’t be bought — it’s built, protected, and shared with every Filipino.