WhatsApp Pink isn’t real, it’s a virus. Here’s what you can do if you’ve clicked the link

While it’s a cute idea that you would be able to switch WhatsApp’s green theme to a pink one, it totally isn’t a real thing. In fact, if you were to come across a link saying that you could—you should stay well away from it as it is a reported virus spread through an APK download link.

Twitter user and internet security researcher @rajaharia warned netizens of the spread of WhatsApp pink. The warning came with an example of how the link would present itself—which included a badly photoshopped image of a pink themed chat app and even the word “WhatsApp” spelt suspiciously without the H.

The “ad” would include a ‘download now’ option at the bottom where clueless victims would press on. Victims who tapped on the fake update link would grant access to hackers to hijack their account.

If you have already clicked on it, you may have been deprived of your WhatsApp account access. Cybercriminals will use this opportunity to hack at your account.

Fortunately, @rajaharia also shared on what you need to do if you’ve clicked on the faux update link:

• Uninstall “WhatsApp Pink” immediately from your device
• Unlink all Whatsapp Web devices
• Clear browser cache from settings
• Check permission for all apps
• If found any suspicious permissions to any app, revoke it

Apparently, the faux app will also “hide” itself after installation—which would seem like it has “updated” itself into your regular WhatsApp app. This also means that you would need to go into your settings to delete the app, rather than just deleted the app on your home screen.

Please be cautious of shared links in general, and always download apps manually from official or trusted app stores. Also, be careful of this loophole that allows attackers to use your phone number to lock you out of your own WhatsApp account.

[ SOURCE, IMAGE SOURCE ]

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