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WhatsApp users alert! This WhatsApp clone is riddled with malware; Do this NOW

Are you using a cloned WhatsApp? Check what it can do to your Android phone. Delete it immediately.

By: HT TECH
Updated on: Oct 10 2022, 13:29 IST
Cybersecurity experts have detected a cloned WhatsApp that can spy on you. (Bloomberg)
Cybersecurity experts have detected a cloned WhatsApp that can spy on you. (Bloomberg)

WhatsApp users need to bring their attention to this latest fake WhatsApp app which is riddled with malware to harm their device. The latest report by Malware protection and Internet Security firm ESET has revealed that India is among the countries with most Android infections as threat detections continued to rise by 9.5 percent. Shockingly, ‘GB WhatsApp’ is responsible for most of these apps, which is a third-party WhatsApp clone.

The report added that the fake WhatsApp application offers almost all the standard features of a real app to its users along with some extra benefits. These trojan-loaded apps carry malware files which can reach a target device without any detection with the ability to even secretly recording audio and video. The worst part is that it will not be noticed immediately, and will slowly spy on your smartphone's day-to-day activities.

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“Behind a large portion of Android/Spy.Agent detections recognized in ESET telemetry is “GB WhatsApp” – a popular but cloned (and therefore unofficial) third-party version of WhatsApp with additional features. However, the cloned app is not available on Google Play; there are no security checks in place compared with the legitimate WhatsApp and versions available on various download websites are riddled with malware,” the report mentioned.

Also read: Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here.

It further stated that WhatsApp is temporarily banning WhatsApp accounts that use such unsupported apps and if these accounts continue to use them, they are permanently banned from accessing WhatsApp. Most of the cases of such apps are detected in Egypt, Brazil, India, and Peru. “However, China (53%) and India (35%) continued to have the highest number of IoT bots geolocated inside the respective countries,” the report mentioned.

What should WhatsApp users do

  • WhatsApp users should always download their application and updates from Google Play Store, and avoid any unknown third-party applications.
  • Check the information about your WhatsApp application. If it seems malicious or fake, you should uninstall this immediately.
  • You should keep a check on the security status of your smartphone and can even have an authenticated antivirus installed in your device.

 

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First Published Date: 10 Oct, 13:28 IST

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