Can you catch a virus on WhatsApp just for uploading a photo?

To infect an Android mobile via WhatsApp, you need more than just a message.

Throughout the past few days, several Internet portals have echoed the investigations of the cybersecurity expert Lukas Stefanko, by which it is shown that Android users may end up with their devices infected with malware, for the simple fact of receiving a WhatsApp message. There’s even a video that demonstrates his theory.

And even if there is part of the truth In the findings of this research, the reality is that for attackers to infect their victims’ devices it takes more than just a message.

WhatsApp is one of the main targets for hackers when it comes to attacking their victims.

Malware that invades your contact list

In the video recorded by Lukas Stefanko, you can see how this malware works: first, the victim receives WhatsApp message which contains a link to a web page and, sometimes, a picture. This page contains a download link of an application, supposedly developed by Huawei.

But only when user downloads and installs the app on your device when the malware infects the phone. If the downloaded application is installed, the virus takes control of the device and starts to send the same message to the entire WhatsApp contact list, with the aim of deceiving and infecting as many people as possible.

The researcher also indicates that the virus can reply with personalized messages to any WhatsApp notification. And once installed, does the application request access to advanced permissions system such as access to notifications or the ability to operate on other applications.

Everything seems to indicate that the ultimate goal of this malware is to finish subscription of the users concerned to the services prime. However, the researcher claims that due to the permissions that the malicious app obtains, it could be used to carry out much more dangerous attacks against users.

How to avoid getting infected?

From the portal specializing in WhatsApp WABetaInfo affirm that, although the threat may be real, it is wrong to say that malware can infect devices simply by upload a photo or receive a message.

After all, as we have seen, malware enters on the device when the app is installed, and not before.

Therefore, from this case we draw two conclusions: the first, that Always avoid opening suspicious links received by WhatsApp –Even if the application does not identify them as suspects; and the second, that although WhatsApp continues to be one of the main objectives of the the Pirates when it comes to finding victims, end up being infected with one of its malwares It’s not as easy as it sounds if you act with common sense.

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