Fake WhatsApp affects millions of users

File picture: AP

File picture: AP

Published Nov 7, 2017

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CAPE TOWN - Around 1 million users have downloaded a fake version of WhatsApp which appeared on Google Play. 

Reddit’s forum users noticed that it was a hoax. Users who didn’t notice this and downloaded the fake app ended up with a major amount of adverts rather than a messenger app.

According to Hacker News, the reason this spoof fooled so many people is because whoever created the App and who put it in the Play Store did so under the name “WhatsApp Inc”, which is the same name the maker of the world-famous app uses. However, Fortune Magazine says that it is not the most uncommon incident. 

Fortune points out that when you search for “WhatsApp” on Google Play, it currently shows no fewer than seven spoof apps using slight variations on the developer name “WhatsApp Inc.”

Have you read: Take a look at the new features released on WhatsApp in 2017

All of them have four-star review averages, due to Play’s review system. 

So remember to watch out before downloading off Google Play or ask a friend to send you the original App via file sharing apps such as SHAREit. 

Besides fake WhatsApp and Instagram found on Google Play, there was also fake Facebook phishing for credentials. https://t.co/NixGzeBVm7 pic.twitter.com/iDMLiAoFYY

— Lukas Stefanko (@LukasStefanko) November 6, 2017

Google do a terrible job with the Play store curation. This is a small number of the WhatsApp apps - all bar one fake/malware. pic.twitter.com/D92VIdQf0v

— Kevin Beaumont 🤨 (@GossiTheDog) November 5, 2017

 

Fake WhatsApp Update on #GooglePlay. Under the "same" dev name. Incl. a Unicode whitespace. One Million downloads https://t.co/qjqxd6n6HP pic.twitter.com/dmvTksqpuP

— Nikolaos Chrysaidos (@virqdroid) November 3, 2017

Warning to fellow android users:

There is a fake whats app found on the play store which is able to hack your device .1M

users are affected.

— MalGamerYT (@Mal_1012) November 6, 2017

Also read: WhatsApp crashes leaving millions frustrated

- BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE 

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