The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued an advisory for Indian WhatsApp users, warning them about a new “device-linking” feature on the social media platform that could allow attackers to ‘hijack’ accounts. It said the newly identified cyber campaign is called ‘GhostPairing’. The method exploits WhatsApp’s device-linking feature.(REUTERS/File Photo) The advisory, which carries a ‘high’ severity rating, said the attack begins when the victim receives a message such as “Hi, check this photo”, which can lead to the full ‘hijacking’ of the user’s WhatsApp account. Notably, CERT-In is the country’s key technical body responsible for dealing with cyber attacks and protecting India’s online space. What is ‘GhostPairing’? According to CERT-In’s warning, GhostPairing enables cybercriminals to gain full access to WhatsApp accounts without requiring passwords or SIM card changes. The method exploits WhatsApp’s device-linking feature, allowing attackers to take over accounts by using pairing codes that do not require proper authentication. Once an account is ‘hijacked’, attackers use it to send messages to the victim’s contacts. “In a nutshell, the GhostPairing attack tricks users …