WhatsApp warns users about spyware hidden in fake app: How to stay safe
Follow UsWhatsApp has notified around 200 users who were tricked into installing a fake version that contained spyware.
The fake app was allegedly created by the Italian spyware maker SIO.
WhatsApp plans to send a formal legal demand to the spyware firm.
WhatsApp has issued a warning after discovering that hundreds of people were tricked into downloading a fake version of the messaging app that contained spyware. The company says around 200 users were affected and has already taken steps to protect those accounts. According to WhatsApp, the fake app was allegedly created by the Italian spyware maker SIO.
Survey‘Our security team proactively identified around 200 users primarily in Italy who we believe may have downloaded this malicious unofficial client,’ WhatsApp said in its statement to TechCrunch. ‘We have logged them out, alerted [them] to the risks to their privacy and security that come with downloading fake unofficial clients, and encouraged them to remove it and download the official WhatsApp app.’
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A spokesperson for WhatsApp, Margarita Franklin, told TechCrunch that the company is currently focused on protecting affected users. ‘Our priority has been protecting the users who may have been tricked into downloading this fake iOS app,’ said Franklin.
WhatsApp also said it plans to ‘send a formal legal demand to stop any such malicious activity to this spyware firm.’
This is not the first time spyware has been hidden by SIO inside fake apps. Last year, SIO had created several malicious Android appS containing spyware called Spyrtacus. These included fake versions of WhatsApp and fake customer support apps for cellphone providers.
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The latest warning also comes a year after a spyware incident involving US-Israeli surveillance tech maker Paragon Solutions. In that case, WhatsApp notified around 90 users, including journalists and pro-immigration activists, that they had been targeted.
How to stay safe
- Only download WhatsApp from official app stores.
- Avoid installing apps from unknown websites or links.
- Beware of messages asking you to download or update apps outside the official app stores.
- Keep your phone’s software and apps updated.
