“WhatsApp Malware: Simple Link Causing Abnormal Behavior and App Crashes”

Although it is not normal, we are used to seeing something as simple as a link or a file causing problems for SMS, WhatsApp or other apps. These trigger abnormal behaviors that give users headaches. This behavior hits WhatsApp again, but once with a simple link that arrives in any conversation.

Another big problem for WhatsApp
This is one more situation that can affect almost any WhatsApp user.  Sending a simple link in a conversation means that the recipient has the app with unstable behavior and that leads to it closing automatically due to internal problems.
The caricature this time is that it is not a word or a link created in a special way, but something that is native to WhatsApp itself.  We are talking about the link wa.me/settings, which should open and give access to the settings of this messaging application.  The truth is that it puts the app in a cycle of problems.
 
A simple link to give problems in the app
The biggest problem is that after the app behaves strangely and simply closes, the user will try to open the conversation again.  When trying to access to delete the message, the problem returns, entering a loop that cannot be controlled by the smartphone.
Thus, and this behavior can even be avoided, the user is permanently blocked from that conversation and unable to exchange more messages.  All the others are accessible and the WhatsApp app can be used, as long as the conversation where the link was shared is not accessed.
 
Solution to remove message from conversation
From what it was possible to test, this situation affects both the WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business app.  Furthermore, the flaw is not limited to the latest version, it is also present in older versions of the app that are still being used by many users.
The only solution that has been found so far to get around the problem is to access WhatsApp via the web version, which has to be registered.  Once inside, you can access the affected conversation and delete the message with the link that was sent.  This web and desktop versions are immune to this link blocking Meta's messaging service.