All you need to know about Olivia, another Momo WhatsApp challenge

Recently we spoke of "Momo", the malicious chain of WhatsApp that altered children and teenagers now comes "Olivia".

Internet will always have scams, and it is inevitable. Whether through social networks or messaging services, malicious content always finds room in our habits. Recently we spoke of "Momo", the malicious chain of WhatsApp that altered children and teenagers now comes "Olivia", an unknown contact who pretends to be a girl and who wants to share confidential information with us.

Momo is however not the only threat to WhatsApp. Halton Brook police have issued an alert earlier this month to warn parents of a new threat: Olivia.

This time, the method is a little different. The target receives a first message from a certain Olivia. She indicates that her phone number has changed and she encourages the recipient of the message to add her new number to her contacts. After a few exchanges, Olivia offers her target to send him a photo of her and a friend, a photo supposed to be on an external service, accessible through a link.

Except that the link in question does not refer to an innocuous photo, but to pornographic content.

If this new campaign at first seems less dangerous than the Momo Challenge, it proves once again that children can not be left unattended on social networks. It is therefore imperative for parents to remain vigilant and discuss with their children to inform them of all the dangers inherent in this type of platform.

I have been made aware of worrying WhatsApp messages being sent from a number registered overseas. The sender pretends to be a friend with a new number but then sends a pornographic picture. If your kids use the App please have a chat with them & check their messages #HereForYou pic.twitter.com/g4uxAqSg8A

— Halton Brook Police (@HaltonBrookPol) September 4, 2018