WhatsApp Warning

Cyber criminals are trying to trick WhatsApp users into handing over control of their computers.

17:30 12 January 2016

A new dangerous phishing attack is targeting WhatsApp users trying to trick them to hand over control of their computers.

 

Cyber criminals are sending emails that appear to come from WhatsApp, but if you look at the actual FROM email address, it is not from the company.  The messages have the following subject lines: “You have obtained a voice notification”, “an audio memo missed”, “a brief recording has been delivered”, and “a short vocal recording was obtained.”

 

The messages contain a compressed ZIP file attachment. When downloaded, it will unleash the malware, which spreads rapidly through a computer’s file system. This allows hackers to steal private information or take remote control of the computer.

 

“Cybercriminals are becoming more and more like marketers – trying to use creative subject lines to have unsuspecting emails be clicked and opened to spread malware,” said Fatih Orhan, Director of Technology for Comodo and the Comodo Antispam Labs.