Two information technology and cyber security experts warn of messages being circulated via the WhatsApp application, asking users to beware of a virus penetrating phones.
The experts stressed that the circulation of these messages is aimed at disrupting the service and spreading rumors, or using them with subsequent messages to penetrate users ’phones and accounts, after obtaining their confidence.
The circulating message included a warning to the users of the WhatsApp application from a current video and a link to update the application to the golden version of the WhatsApp Gold application, calling on the users of the application to notify all of their contacts, not to open the video.
The director of the New York University Abu Dhabi Center for Electronic Security, Dr. Hoda Al-Khuzaiemi, said that the misleading messages that are circulated through the application "WhatsApp" recently, have not been proven true, and aims to promote rumors among account holders for purposes that may relate to sending subsequent messages, including links that include the risks of electronic phishing And hacking phones.
Al-Khuzaiemy stressed the necessity of not circulating rumors, and following the basic safety and security standards, by not pressing any unknown links sent from anyone, as well as not pressing unreliable videos that do not have the necessary safety standards and reliable encryption.
In turn, Information Technology Systems expert, Dr. Moataz Kokash, said that the messages that are being circulated through the application "WhatsApp" are considered misleading messages that have dangerous purposes, including the exploitation of the increase in the current demand to use the application "WhatsApp", whether through commitment Students at home, or most staff work remotely.
He continued: «With the large circulation of these messages among the dealers, and in numbers that may reach millions of users, it can later cause, with the high pressure on (servers), or service platform systems, to partially or completely disable the work of the application, which is a fertile field for transferring Penetration software for phones.
He added that the messages use misleading methods to gain the confidence of the users, as it can send the following messages related to the same subject, calling on customers to use protection methods through special links that expose users to penetration, whether for WhatsApp accounts or for their smartphones.
He explained that the recent period witnessed the exploitation of electronic pirates, at the global level and the region, to the spread of the emerging "Corona" virus globally, and the increased use of the Internet, by sending misleading messages with the aim of penetrating accounts or electronic phishing, including circulating messages with links on "WhatsApp", under the title of the latest statistics Related to the spread of the "Corona" virus, or the circulation of messages in the English language, which includes links or videos entitled: "Learn to protect yourself from being infected with the Corona virus."
Kokesh called the dealers not to be drawn into unreliable messages from the source, as similar warnings are supposed to take place from the management of the application itself, through notifications to the dealers, whether through the application "WhatsApp" or others, and he called on users not to click on unknown links sent to them, or Untrusted videos, sent from unknown sources, or from friends in good faith.
He continued: «In the event that any customer is exposed to penetration of his account on the application (WhatsApp), it is important to communicate with the application management to secure the account, and follow the steps of electronic insurance found in the application systems», stressing the importance of resorting to electronic security centers of the security agencies in the event The breaches have reached smart phone accounts.