Will Cathcart, the CEO of WhatsApp, has warned people not to use modified versions of the app because they may contain malware that can steal user information.
Because WhatsApp is so popular, scammers often try to trick people who use it. One way that hackers try to get into WhatsApp accounts is by sending messages with links to fake websites. Malware is another way they do this. Now, Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp, has warned people not to use modified versions of the messaging app on their phones. Also, Read – A step-by-step guide on how to get back deleted WhatsApp messages
In a Twitter thread, Cathcart told people not to use versions of WhatsApp made by third-party developers because they hide malware. He said that even though these apps tell WhatsApp users they will get new features, they also steal information from their phones. Also Read: A step-by-step guide to exporting Chrome bookmarks
More specifically, he mentioned versions of WhatsApp like “Hey WhatsApp” by a developer called “HeyMods” that have malware hidden inside them.
WhatsApp’s team immediately told Google about the problem. Google, in turn, has released an update to Google Play Protect on Android, a program that checks apps and devices for malware and harmful behavior and deactivates and deletes apps if it finds something suspicious, to find and disable versions of WhatsApp made by third-party developers that contain the data-stealing malware.
In the thread, the head of WhatsApp said that the company would continue to find and block these kinds of apps, and it would also look into all legal options to stop HeyMods and other third-party developers like it from giving users access to their fake apps.
He also told people to get rid of these fake apps and only get apps from real sources.
