Clever cybercriminals have created the malware which is specifically designed to trick WhatsApp users on either iPhones or Android devices.
The virus is being circulated via email and is designed to look like it’s been sent by a legitimate source, researchers at Comodo Labs say. Fraudsters hope users will open the scam email and download the attached virus, which then infiltrates their phone.
Emails from the criminals contain sneaky subject lines including, “new voice message” or “an audio memo was missed” followed by a play button.
Others have received messages including “a brief audio recording has been delivered”, “a short vocal recording was obtained” and a fake notification about a video note.
Although none of the emails come from a WhatsApp address they are “disguised with an umbrella branding”, Comodo confirmed.
WhatsAppers should be aware that all voice memos, audio memos, recordings and notifications will be received in the app only.
Every scam email contains a compressed ZIP file which unleashes the secret malware into your phone when downloaded. The virus then duplicates in multiple system folders and adds itself into an auto-run in the computer’s registry.
“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, a director of Comodo Antispam Labs.
“As a company, Comodo is working diligently in creating innovative technology solutions that stay a step ahead of the cybercriminals, protect and secure endpoints, and keep enterprises and IT environments safe.”
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