Message about secure cell phones generated distrust in RS: 'I received it, but I didn't open it' Residents of Rio Grande do Sul reported distrust after receiving a WhatsApp message from the federal government about the Celular Seguro app. The contact, however, is official and announces a new functionality of the tool. It is now possible to check the legal status of a phone before purchasing it, with the aim of weakening the illegal market for stolen and stolen electronics. However, fear of scams caused many to ignore the initial warning. ? Access the g1 RS channel on WhatsApp "I received it, but to be honest, I didn't open the message, because I was scared. We don't know nowadays what we can actually access on our cell phone or not, right? I received it, but I didn't open it", reported building caretaker Eliette Alcântara. Previously focused only on victims blocking devices after crimes, the platform now works on prevention. By allowing the origin of the product to be checked before closing a deal, the intention is to make sales on the parallel market more difficult and, consequently, reduce the interest of criminals in stealing and stealing phones. The professor at the Institute of Informatics at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Jéferson Campos Nobre, believes that the measure is an important obstacle against crime. "It does not completely solve the problem, but it increases the security mechanisms that are used to prevent cell phones that are stolen or stolen from being reused. So, although it is not a measure that completely solves the problem, it makes it difficult for these criminals to act," he said. Concern about losing the device even changes people's behavior on the streets. Lawyer Carlos Abraão Maschio says he changed his habits in public. "Never take it out of the bag, out of the thing, in public. Never, ever," he said. Massage therapist Eduardo Malone Melo Figueiredo tells how he was a victim of this type of crime. "We're distracted and when you see it, out of nowhere... It's happened that I've been on the phone, talking to my mother and been surprised by the robbery. And then you don't react, right?", he recalled. Singer Antônio Rodrigues also suffered losses. "Three thousand reais the person took and I couldn't get it, right?", he lamented. Security agencies work to prevent crimes and try to recover and return phones. The deputy secretary of Public Security of Rio Grande do Sul (SSP-RS), Adriana Regina da Costa, warns of the criminal risks of purchasing products without confirmed origin. "People should be careful with prices that are not within the standard price, with the origin of this product, because they end up getting involved in an issue, often criminal, and also, often, buying a device of poor origin", explained the assistant secretary. "So, it is very important that people are careful when purchasing a product that is purchased in official stores so that they do not often become involved in the commission of a crime", he added. With confirmation that the government's message is safe, those who are suspicious intend to use the service. "Ah, now I'm going to take a look calmly, right? I'm going to check, I'm going to analyze and I'm going to read it calmly and I'll be able to access it", said Eliette. "It was good that you talked about it, and now I'll do more research", added Eduardo. In addition to keeping the device registered with Celular Seguro, experts recommend reinforcing the phone's internal protection. Professor Jéferson Nobre advises the use of additional locks. "It is possible, for example, to make some of the applications only accessible through biometrics, if the cell phone has this capability or with a password. These are precautions that, again, do not completely solve the problem but they do reduce the impacts that someone who has their cell phone stolen suffers", he concluded. WhatsApp message from the federal government about the Celular Seguro app Reproduction/RBS TV VIDEOS: Everything about RS