Do NOT download GB WhatsApp! It can spy on your Android phone

A new report says that India is one of the largest countries for Android malware to exploit. Here are details.

GB WhatsApp can spread deadly malware on your smartphone. Here is what you can do. (Reuters)

Android phones are not safe and a new report reaffirms that. But the bigger shock comes from the fact that India is one of the biggest playgrounds for Android malware. Based on the T2 2022 Threat Report by Malware protection and Internet Security firm ESET, it is said that most of the Android Trojan malware is found in India, and it continues to grow by 9.5 percent in the latter half of 2022. And one of the prime suspects is the GB WhatsApp app, which is responsible for spreading the malware.

The GB WhatsApp app, which is a third party WhatsApp client, is an easy way to spread the Android spyware. The app is essentially a modified version of WhatsApp that offers some added features along with the usual WhatsApp features. You won't find the app listed on the Google Play Store and users need to download its APK and sideload it from other sources. However, the sideload files are easily modified with malicious content and they spread malware as soon as the users download it.

Android malware spreads with GB WhatsApp

Once the app is installed, the malicious codes run in the background, all the while the user doesn't get a whiff of it. What's even more dangerous is that the trojan malware is not immediately noticeable as it doesn't leave any trace on your phone, and even show signs that it is there. The spyware has no effect on the daily performance of your smartphone. Hence, the spyware will continue to steal your data and you may not even know it.

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The only way known to get rid of such malware is to perform a full factory reset of your device. And that means you are going to lose all your data. Even having a backup of such data and reinstalling it would reinstate the malware.

How to stay safe

- First and foremost, you should not download and install apps from outside the Google Play store. Most APK files hosted on other app libraries and websites can contain malware embedded into them.

- Never download any modified version of WhatsApp or any other social media app. Unless the app has been released by the developer themselves, stick to the official app.

- In case you suspect your phone is infected with a malware, you should immediately disconnect the internet connection and perform a full factory reset. This time, avoid downloading those shady apps from unverified websites.