Google Play Store has banned several apps recently to secure its platform. But there are modified versions of various apps that are still available on the Google Play Store and these apps can infect the user's device. Now, a new bug has been found in the modified version of WhatsApp for Android. This is known as Trojan Triada. This malware is capable of downloading a payload that furthers malicious activities on the device without telling the user.
According to reports, a research team of cyber security major Kaspersky has shared this new development in a recent report. It said that “The Trojan Triada FMWhatsApp 16.80.0 affects the modified version of WhatsApp. Such modified apps are made to provide users with additional features that are not found in the original WhatsApp. Downloading FMWhatsApp modified app can get you in trouble.”
According to Kaspersky, “Trojan Triada has now entered the new version of FMWhastApp with its Ad Software Development Kit (SDK). If you launch an app that is infected with a Trojan, it will collect device identifiers (Device ID, Subscriber ID, MAC address) and send them back to a remote server. The server is said to register the new device and send back a link for a payload. The Trojan in the app then downloads this payload to the infected device. Thereafter, it decrypts the content and launches it for operation.”
This is how hackers will hijack your account
Various types of malware carrying out similar activities through FM WhatsApp have been discovered by researchers. There is another virus that can perform multiple functions on an infected device which includes full-screen ads, to increase the number of views they get. They can also sign up the device owner up for paid subscriptions without their consent. Not only this, hackers can also hijack these accounts to spread spam and malware in your name.