META cautions Android users against new malware in WhatsApp & Youtube apps
META, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp has raised an alarm over a dangerous new malware strain hiding in bogus YouTube and WhatsApp apps. The company made this known in its Quarterly Adversarial Threat Report 2022.
What should I know about the malware?
META said the new Dracarys malware is being injected into fake versions of popular apps such as WhatsApp and YouTube, and its strain is capable of stealing call logs, contact information, files, SMS texts, geolocation, and device details from an Android device as well as taking photos secretly, enabling the phone or tablets microphone.
The report also revealed that the malware is named after the Game of Thrones Battle Cry Dragon run by the hacking group APT. the hacking group is alleged to have attacked users from the UK, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan.
How do I protect my devices against malware?
According to experts, the best way to protect your devices from malware is to avoid downloading unofficial or fake apps of apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, or Telegram. The threat of malware is believed to remain present on third-party APK websites. Android users are therefore advised to download official apps from Google Play Store itself.
