Chennai: If you receive a message with a link that claims to turn WhatsApp’s theme from default green to pink, do not click. It is a virus, and clicking on the link may allow cybercriminals to hack your phone. You may also lose access to your WhatsApp account.
Cyber experts have warned users from falling into the prey of a virus link which claims to turn Whatsapp in pink colour and comes with new features.
“Beware of WhatsApp Pink!! A Virus is being spread in WhatsApp groups with an APK download link. Don’t click any link with the name of #WhatsappPink. Complete access to your phone will be lost,” said cybersecurity expert Rajshekhar Rajaharia, who was one of the first ones to flag the spam.
Cyber intelligence firm Voyager Infosec director Jiten Jain said that users are strictly advised never to install any APK or mobile app other than those available on official App store of Google or Apple.
Interestingly, the malicious WhatsApp Pink looks identical to the main application, making it difficult for users to distinguish. A few things like the Settings menu, however, looks different. Regular WhatsApp users will know that the features mentioned here are not part of the main app.
Meanwhile, 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.”