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A WARNING HAS been issued about a new phishing attack that tricks people into downloading malware onto their computers from an email purporting to be from WhatsApp.
Cyber security researchers at Comodo Labs identified the malware attack which involves cybercriminals sending fake emails representing the information as official WhatsApp content.
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The emails are being sent from a rogue email address, disguised with an umbrella branding “WhatsApp,” but if users look at the actual ‘from’ email address, they will see it is not from the company.
In order to spread the rogue malware and infect computers, the cybercriminals are using multiple subject lines, all with a set of random characters or letters at the end:
You have obtained a voice notification xgod
An audio memo was missed. Ydkpda
A brief audio recording has been delivered! Jsvk
A short vocal recording was obtained npulf
A sound announcement has been received sqdw
You have a video announcement. Eom
A brief video note got delivered. Atjvqw
You’ve recently got a vocal message. Yop
The attachment contains a compressed file which holds the malware. This type of malware usually replicates itself into different system folders, according to Comodo.
Anyone who receives an email like this is advised not to open it and definitely do not download any attachments.
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I work for WhatsAPP. if you received emails like this that look kinda dodgy…dont worry , please forward the email to isthisdodogyornot@givemeyourpassword.com along with your whatsapp username & password. sound.
Like the e-mail purporting to come from banks, revenue, etc. I fund the quickest way to tell where they’re really from is to hover the cursor (don’t click) over the URL, the link will appear in the status area at the foot of the screen. It works in Mozilla Thunderbird and Firefox on PC. Haven’t figured out yet how to do it on Android tablet.
I worked in tech support for a telecoms company a few years back. It would frighten you the amount of people who click in to these emails and follow the instructions. Had many people get a call from “Microsoft” telling them they had a virus only to be scammed out of hundreds of Euro. People are terrifyingly gullible.
I wouldn’t say that about all of them. A lot of the time it’s the older generation that only have the computer to Skype the family members abroad. They’re just ignorant to the threats of the Internet.
Doesn’t matter I’m set to inherit a large fortune from the King of Nigeria. It was strange but somehow I’m related. He said he needed a bail out of some cash so I sent that on and all of my bank details so he can pay me back. I’m sure he’s a lovely fellow. Can’t wait to meet him when he sends his private jet to collect me – all I need to pay are the fuel costs. Talk about LUCK eh?
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