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New Malware targets WhatsApp

Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney

  • Updated:

A new piece of malware, called ‘Skygofree,’ is targeting mobiles and enables hackers to steal your encrypted WhatsApp messages. Researchers at Kaspersky Labs say that the malware has been around since 2014 and is capable of much more than just viewing your secret messages.

According to Kaspersky Skygofree can turn on your phones microphone, take photos, and even record videos from any infected device. The powerful malware is even able to track an infected device’s location, and then record audio at specified locations. If you’re not scared by this malware you should be.

New Malware targets WhatsApp

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Fortunately, the mobile malware mostly affects older handsets and is easily guarded against so if you only install apps from trusted sources, like Google Play or Softonic, and you should be safe. If you’re running a more recent version of android then, even if your handset becomes infected, you should be protected from a number of the vulnerabilities mentioned earlier. Basically, update your phone if you can and be careful when you’re downloading apps and you should be ok.

Do you download your apps from trusted sources or have you ever downloaded something from a page you weren’t sure about?

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Via: Securelist, The Next Web and Trusted Reviews

Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney is a news reporter for Softonic, keeping readers up to date on everything affecting their favorite apps and programs. His beat includes social media apps and sites like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat. Patrick also covers antivirus and security issues, web browsers, the full Google suite of apps and programs, and operating systems like Windows, iOS, and Android.

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