London: Did you get a message saying if you make your WhatsApp theme pink, you will get new features? Beware of this message and the link. Experts say that this will deny the users access to WhatsApp and steal personal information on the phone.
The new warning comes as the message titled 'WhatsApp pink' began to flood the mobile phones.
Many of the recipients of these messages download from the link and also forward the message to others. Jiten Jain, director of the cyber intelligence firm Voyager Infosec, warns users not to download any APK or mobile apps other than those available on the official App stores of Google or Apple.
"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. The current case of Pink Whatsapp or Whatsapp Gold is a case of malware impersonating as fake WhatsApp feature apps," Jain said.
The WhatsApp spokesperson told PTI, "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."