A fake WhatsApp update on the Google Play Store has been downloaded by more than 1 million users.
Called Update WhatsApp Messenger the app is listed as being released by ‘WhatsApp Inc’, which is the name the genuine WhatsApp uses.
However, and this is very cunning, the use of ‘WhatsApp Inc’ by the fake app has a character space unlike the legitimate version.
Clearly, everyone is going to miss this given that it’s almost invisible.
In short, the title used by the fake app and the real WhatsApp service are different but appear to be the same.
And so one million users were fooled into downloading it.
What does it do?
But it’s one of those irritating apps that ultimately bombards you with unwanted ads to download other apps.
It’s been deleted… but
But the question has to be asked how it got there in the first place given Google’s huge resources and Bug Bounty Program.
The tech giant recently announced a new program to help root out vulnerabilities in third-party apps in its Google Play Store.
However, it’s only paying out $1,000 for those who discover vulnerabilities. In the world of bug bounties it’s not a lot.
Bigger question
However with an estimated 3.3 million apps on the Play Store as of September 2017 it’s inevitable that fake and malicious apps are going to slip through.
The danger is that they infect smartphones, without a user’s knowledge, with all sorts of malware, whether its unwanted ads or something more deadly like banking trojans designed to steal financial details.
Why not protect yourself with BullGuard Mobile Security?
It’s FREE, in the Google Play store. It flags up and blocks all types of mobile malware.
