An unofficial ‘mod’ of the popular messaging app WhatsApp has been discovered and infected more than 340,000 devices in just one month.
This ‘mod’ is apparently being distributed via the Telegram platform to improve the user experience on the Meta app.
But he is hiding a dangerous secret: Ability to collect sensitive data, including microphone recordings and files on external storage.
(Read: Creators of WhatsApp channels for Android will be able to appoint new administrators).
Cybersecurity company Kaspersky published a warning about this threat, emphasizing the importance of using only official messaging applications.
Dmitry Kalinin, the company’s security expert, emphasized the need to have a reliable security solution before installing third-party software, and recommends downloading apps only from official stores and websites.
(More: With WhatsApp Desktop, you can chat with numbers not saved in your contacts.)
This ‘mode’ contains a malicious spy module that is activated when the victim’s phone is turned on or charged.
Once operational, it collects data including the victim’s IMEI, phone number, country and network codes, as well as contact and account information, and sends them every five minutes. Moreover, It has the ability to activate the device’s microphone and access files stored on the external device.
(Next: WhatsApp: so you can write in colored letters ‘in the app’).
Although the main focus of this threat is on residents of countries such as Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Turkey and Egypt, attacks are reported worldwide, including in countries such as the USA, Russia, UK and Germany.
The threat became active in mid-August 2023, underscoring the need for greater awareness and vigilance around cybersecurity.
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*This content was rewritten with the help of artificial intelligence, based on information published by Europa Press, and reviewed by the journalist and editor.
Source: Exame
