WhatsApp has issued a stern warning to Android customers, asking them to watch out for the faux variations of the moment messaging apps. The warning comes within the type of a tweet thread from Will Cathcart, the CEO of WhatsApp, who stated that customers who use any modified model of the app will find yourself in large hassle. WhatsApp is likely one of the hottest on the spot messaging cellular software, with roughly two billion lively customers. Additionally it is the favored goal of scammers who need to trick customers by way of totally different methods.
In his tweet, Mr Cathcart stated that the safety analysis staff of the corporate discovered some malicious apps that declare to supply companies much like WhatsApp. “Lately our safety staff found hidden malware inside apps – supplied exterior of Google Play – from a developer known as “HeyMods” that included “Hey WhatsApp” and others,” he stated within the tweet.
Lately our safety staff found hidden malware inside apps – supplied exterior of Google Play – from a developer known as “HeyMods” that included “Hey WhatsApp” and others.
— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) July 11, 2022
“These apps promised new options however have been only a rip-off to steal private info saved on folks’s telephones. We have shared what we discovered with Google and labored with them to fight the malicious apps,” Mr Cathcart additional stated.
The faux variations of WhatsApp should not out there on Google Play Retailer, however customers are lured into downloading these apps from unofficial sources. Mr Cathcart’s warning is for these customers.
“Google Play Defend on Android can now detect and disable beforehand downloaded malicious faux variations of WhatsApp. We recognize the assistance of Google for his or her continued work to stop malicious apps from proliferating on Android gadgets,” tweeted the WhatsApp head.
Cell phone malware is a pernicious menace that should be countered and the safety neighborhood continues to develop new methods to stop it from spreading.
— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) July 11, 2022
In the meantime, a report stated that the corporate has launched a beta model of the brand new macOS WhatsApp app constructed on Catalyst expertise. The report by WABetaInfo stated that WhatsApp beta app for macOS is claimed to look fairly totally different from the present design.