WHATSAPP has issued an urgent warning for its users as unofficial versions of the app have popped up amid stolen data fears.
Meta has sued a number of developers for allegedly using the fake WhatsApp Android apps to steal over a million users’ data.
The company has sued Chinese companies for doing business as HeyMods, Highlight Mobi, and HeyWhatsApp, according to Bleeping Computer.
The malicious apps were available from the three companies’ websites, Google Play Store APK Pure, APKSFree, iDescargar, and Malavida.
Once downloaded, the app uses malware to access sensitive information such as account authentication.
It also hijacks the user’s WhatsApp account to send spam messages.
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The complaint states: “After victims installed the Malicious Applications, they were prompted to enter their WhatsApp user credentials and authenticate their WhatsApp access on the Malicious Applications.
“The Defendants programmed the Malicious Applications to communicate the user’s credentials to WhatsApp’s computers and obtain the users’ account keys and authentication information (collectively, ‘access information).”
AppUpdater for WhatsPlus was installed by over a million Android users, according to Google Play Store.
Earlier this week, WhatsApp warned its users of fake versions of the app that could leave them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
These apps are developed by WhatsApp and may look like the app so it’s hard to determine if you’re downloading the wrong one.
Meanwhile, the app is working on a way to ban users from a simple iPhone and Android trick.
The new plan is to ban you from taking screenshots of View Once messages.
WhatsApp is also working on some new features– here are the best three.