According to reports, over one million users were tricked into downloading a fake version of WhatsApp from the Google Play Store last week. Luckily, it was identified and removed.
The Internet is becoming more and more dangerous day by day. If hacking or phishing weren’t enough, malware and adware are always lurking just around the corner. And now, fake apps. Last week, a fake, malicious, adware-riddled version of WhatsApp appeared on the Google Play Store. And it was downloaded by *only* around one million users. What’s wrong with people? Can’t they tell what’s real and what’s fake? Not so fast. The app looked totally legit. Even its download page looked perfectly authentic, showing the developer as “WhatsApp Inc.” How is this even possible?
Well, with some clever use of Unicode, the creators were able to doctor the name of the developer. A screenshot from The Hacker News showed how that was done – by writing “WhatsApp+Inc%C2%A0.” Simple.
Also, the downloaded app was pretty much the real thing, just will ads wrapped around it. It is only until a Redditor – DexterGenius – noticed something wrong and decompiled the app’s code. As he explained, “The app itself has minimal permissions (internet access) but it’s basically an ad-loaded wrapper which has some code to download a second apk, also called ‘whatsapp.apk.”
We’re thankful that this is matter has been settled, but surely, Google should be making more of an effort to remove “zombie apps” from the Play Store? It has, but it seems that cybercriminals are always one step ahead. Stay safe out there, people!
You might also like
More from WhatsApp
WhatsApp Is Giving Users Until May 15 To Accept Its New Data Sharing Policy
WhatsApp is giving users more time to think about accepting a new data sharing policy that would see their data …
WhatsApp Now Forces You To Share Your Information With Facebook
As part of a recent privacy policy update, WhatsApp is now asking users to share information with other Facebook companies …
WhatsApp Set To Offer Health Insurance And Pension Products In India
WhatsApp is expected to move into a range of services in India within 2021 - including health insurance and pension …
With Carts WhatsApp Is Now A True E-Commerce Platform
WhatsApp Carts let potential customers of businesses on its platform browse catalogs, choose items, and check out via a single …
WhatsApp Is Rolling Out Its Shopping Button Globally
The new shopping button on WhatsApp makes it easier for you to browse a brand's catalogs of goods and services.
WhatsApp Rolls Out Payments Feature In India
WhatsApp announced it's rolling out payments in India, making it possible for users to send money through its platform.
WhatsApp Launches New Storage Management Tool
WhatsApp is updating its storage management tool, allowing you to easily find and delete files that are clogging up your …
WhatsApp Is Now Delivering 100 Billion Messages A Day
WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned instant messaging app, is now delivering 100 billion messages a day across the globe.