WHATSAPP users have been told not to use rip off chat apps as they could be stealing your private information.
Bosses at Meta have had enough of copycat apps and are now taking legal action against a number of them.
Mark Zuckerberg‘s tech empire has accused three operations known as HeyMods, Highlight Mobi, and HeyWhatsApp of misleading over one million WhatsApp users into “self-compromising their accounts as part of an account takeover attack”.
WhatsApp says they developed multiple versions of at least two malicious apps, including one called AppUpdater for WhatsPlus 2021 GB Yo FM HeyMods and another known as Theme Store for Zap.
They apparently used hidden malware to hijack people’s accounts.
This enabled hackers to send commercial spam messages, it’s claimed in legal documents.
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These unofficial versions of WhatsApp were found on the Google Play Store, as well as downloadable on external sites including APK Pure, APKSFree, iDescargar, and Malavida.
AppUpdater for WhatsPlus was installed by more than one million Android users on the Google Play Store before it was taken down, according to Bleeping Computer.
WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart warned fans about the problem back in July.
“Recently our security team discovered hidden malware within apps – offered outside of Google Play – from a developer called “HeyMods” that included “Hey WhatsApp” and others,” he said.
“These apps promised new features but were just a scam to steal personal information stored on people’s phones.
“We’ve shared what we found with Google and worked with them to combat the malicious apps.
“We’re also taking enforcement action against HeyMods to stop future harm, and will further explore legal options to hold HeyMods and others like them accountable.”
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WhatsApp users are actually not allowed to access the service through any alternative app.
It’s one of several ways your account can be banned.
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