Beware of WhatsApp updates

[Kevin Lancaster]

Beware of WhatsApp updates

Android users need to be aware of malware making the rounds that poses as a service for updating Whatsapp

 

[DA-LION-619]

Then they're stupid and deserve the malware.

 

[OGroteKoning]

Heading is misleading - you get the impression that WhatsApp updates are dangerous, whereas it is the service offered from 3rd parties that inject malware

 

[abbott10k]

I feel nothing for such people, but then you get the less tech savvy who might fall victim to such though.

 

[OGroteKoning]

I feel nothing for such people, but then you get the less tech savvy who might fall victim to such though.

Which is MOST of the users of WhatsApp (90%??). They are oblivious of the dangers and view it as a "Oooo, I like this new service".

 

[Hush9300]

This is still a problem on Android... My friend had an S4 and was inundated with spam pop-ups.

 

[Mk786]

Then they're stupid and deserve the malware.

True. People lack common sense these days.

 

[cozinsky]

iOS has its advantages.

 

[Polymathic]

iOS has its advantages.

Altough I hate Apple with a passion I find myself recommending the iPhone to many of my technically minded friends and family because of that reason

 

[LCBXX]

Time to type up a mail with bold letters, red bold underlined letter and the obligatory "This is not a joke! Send this on to everyone in your address book! Lets help each other stay safe"

 

[blunt]

unfortunately many, many people will fall for this.

 

[Bryn]

Then they're stupid and deserve the malware.

/thread

 

[Ninja'd]

See that s**t a lot while reading manga.

 

[Park@82]

So this want to be sideloaded right? One physically have to go into settings and allow unknown sources right?

 

[DA-LION-619]

So this want to be sideloaded right? One physically have to go into settings and allow unknown sources right?

If 'whatsapp' tells you to allow unknown sources people will fall for it.

 

[backstreetboy]

Only if you visit smut sites.

iOS has its advantages.

True. You don't even have to install another app to get your sexy pics all over the internet.

 

[Dimpie (JIGSAW)]

Heading is misleading - you get the impression that WhatsApp updates are dangerous, whereas it is the service offered from 3rd parties that inject malware

+1 :twisted:

 

[VC-1]

iOS has its advantages.

Altough I hate Apple with a passion I find myself recommending the iPhone to many of my technically minded friends and family because of that reason

Add Windows Phone OS to your selection - iOS and WP has not got this Malware risky problem.

 

[kianm]

I'm sure for one to get the pop ups they'd have installed some other crapware already on their phone

 

[MoHaG]

I'm sure for one to get the pop ups they'd have installed some other crapware already on their phone

There seem to be some ad network being used to distribute these... Some sites, like collegehumor (go to one of the posts) seem to reliably redirect to the ads...

With most browsers not supporting extensions and apps being isolated (unless running with root permissions), crapware shouldn't be able to do that...

Unable to reproduce in Chrome's device emulation mode though...

Edit: I can see the request in Chrome's dev tools (when connected to phone, but I can't currently see where it comes from...) (Adblock on PC isn't helping...) There is appsliu.com (careful on visiting, likely serving malware) involved, not sure how it gets to that...