The new threat link is being shared under the name WhatsApp Pink and claims that it can turn the theme of WhatsApp from its iconic green to that of pink color. The link also offers additional features to lure victims and tries to legitimize its existence by deeming the theme a new official look by WhatsApp. Several WhatsApp users have reported receiving such a link on their phones, while many have forwarded it without knowing its real purpose.
What is this link?
The new threat link is being shared under the name WhatsApp Pink and claims that it can turn the theme of WhatsApp from its iconic green to that of pink color. The link also offers additional features to lure victims and tries to legitimize its existence by deeming the theme a new official look by WhatsApp.Several WhatsApp users have reported receiving such a link on their phones, while many have forwarded it without knowing its real purpose.
Cyber experts
However, a cyber expert has warned that the link performs no actions as advertised and instead is a tool for hackers to gain access to a target device. The link can possibly lock the victims out of their WhatsApp accounts or even their smartphones in some cases. The expert warns that the link is devious enough to allow the hacker to gain full access to your phone and its data. Such malicious apps can be used to compromise your phone and steal personal data like photos, SMS, contacts, etc. Keyboard-based malware can be used to track everything you type. It can be used to capture and steal banking passwords.
WhatsApp’s reply
When contacted, Whatsapp said,
“Anyone can get an unusual, uncharacteristic or suspicious message on any service, including email, and anytime that happens we strongly encourage everyone to use caution before responding or engaging. On WhatsApp in particular, we also recommend that people use the tools that we provide within the app to send us a report, report a contact or block contact.”
The “#WhatsApp Pink” trojan can now auto-reply to received messages not only on WhatsApp, but also Signal, Skype, Viber and Telegram. The replies link to a malicious website further distributing the malware. #ESETresearch @LukasStefanko 1/3 pic.twitter.com/B5X0DEQTx2
— ESET research (@ESETresearch) April 19, 2021
Source:studyIQ
