Ghost Pairing Attack : How Cybercriminals Hijack
WhatsApp Using Your Phone Number and How ETSPL Recommends You to Prevent It
At ETSPL, we regularly analyze emerging cyber-attack patterns impacting individuals and businesses. One of the most concerning threats gaining traction is the GhostPairing Attack—a highly effective social-engineering technique that bypasses traditional security assumptions.
Despite strong end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp accounts can still be fully compromised. The reason is simple: attackers exploit user trust, not cryptography.
What Is the GhostPairing Attack?
GhostPairing is not a flaw in WhatsApp encryption. It is an abuse of WhatsApp’s legitimate “Linked Devices” feature, combined with psychological manipulation.
The attacker convinces a victim to unknowingly authorize an external device, creating a silent “ghost” session that mirrors chats in real time.
• No malware.
• No SIM swapping.
• No password theft.
• Just deception.
How the GhostPairing Attack Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Social Engineering Entry Point
Victims receive a message—often from a compromised contact—such as:
• “Is this your photo?”
• “Your WhatsApp account needs verification”
• “Policy violation detected on your account”
The message contains a malicious link designed to look legitimate.
Step 2: Fake Whats App Verification Page
Clicking the link opens a convincing replica of a Whats App or Meta verification page requesting:
• Mobile number entry
• Immediate “verification” to continue
This page is fully controlled by the attacker.
Step 3: Abuse of WhatsApp Linked Devices
In the background:
• The attacker initiates an official WhatsApp device-pairing request
• WhatsApp generates a real pairing code
• The fake website displays the same code to the victim
The victim is instructed:
“Open WhatsApp → Linked Devices → Enter code to verify”
Step 4: Victim Unknowingly Grants Access
By entering the code, the victim:
• Links the attacker’s device
• Grants access to chats, media, and contacts
• Receives no forced logout or immediate warning
The takeover remains largely invisible.
Step 5: Persistent Ghost Surveillance
Once linked, the attacker can:
• Monitor live conversations
• Send messages as the victim
• Harvest sensitive or business data
• Propagate the attack to other contacts
Access remains active until manually removed.
ETSPL Security Advisory: How to Defend Against GhostPairing
Immediate Actions (Critical)
1. Review Linked Devices
◌ WhatsApp → Settings → Linked Devices
◌ Remove any unfamiliar session immediately
2. Enable Two-Step Verification
◌ Settings → Account → Two-Step Verification
◌ Use a strong PIN and recovery email
3. Log Out of All Devices
◌ Force logout from every active session
Behavioral Prevention (Most Important)
• Never click “photo”, “verification”, or “warning” links sent via WhatsApp
• Never enter WhatsApp pairing or verification codes on external websites
• WhatsApp does not request account verification through links or pop-ups
Key Takeaway from ETSPL
Modern cyberattacks increasingly target human behavior, not technical vulnerabilities. GhostPairing proves that even secure platforms can be compromised if users are manipulated.
Security awareness, verification discipline, and regular account audits are now as important as encryption itself.
ETSPL continues to monitor evolving threats and advises organizations to include social-engineering defense as a core part of their cybersecurity strategy.
If you found this advisory useful, share it within your network—prevention begins with awareness.
About the author :
Dr. Vinod Gokakakar
MD & CEO,
EBC TECH SERV PVT LTD (ETSPL)
Dr. Vinod Gokakakar is a seasoned IT professional with over 21 years of diverse experience in the technology industry. Throughout his career, Vinod has worked with a wide range of sectors, from small businesses to multinational corporations, gaining invaluable insights into various technological verticals.
In 2017, leveraging his extensive expertise and recognizing the growing importance of cybersecurity for businesses, Vinod took a bold step and established his own company. Focused on serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), his company aimed to provide comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to protect these businesses from emerging
threats in the digital landscape. Vinod‘s commitment to safeguarding the digital assets of SMEs earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in the cybersecurity domain.
Building on his success and driven by a passion for addressing complex challenges in the digital realm, Vinod expanded his entrepreneurial ventures further. In 2017, he founded ETSPL and in 2022 he founded another company BEPPL (Business Entente Powers Pvt Ltd) dedicated to providing a comprehensive suite of services encompassing cybersecurity, legal advisory, copyrights, intellectual property rights (IPR), online dispute resolutions, and more. This innovative venture positioned Vinod as a pioneer in offering integrated solutions that bridge the gap between technology and legal compliance.
Vinod‘s visionary leadership and multidisciplinary approach have positioned his companies as leaders in the cybersecurity and legal services sectors in India. His ability to anticipate emerging trends, coupled with a deep understanding of both technology and legal frameworks, has enabled him to offer holistic solutions tailored to the evolving needs of his clients.
With a track record of success and a commitment to excellence, Vinod Gokakakar continues to make significant contributions to the advancement of cybersecurity and legal services, empowering businesses to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence and resilience.
Dr. Vinod Gokakakar is Bestowed with the following Licenses & Certifications :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinodgokakakar/details/certifications/
Dr. Vinod Gokakakar is Accorded with the following Honors & Awards :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinodgokakakar/details/honors/
Dr. Vinod Gokakakar can be contacted at :
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Also read Mr. Vinod Gokakakar’s earlier article :
