Android phones are not sure, and a new report confirms it. But the biggest surprise comes from the fact that India is one of the biggest playgrounds for Android malware. According to the second quarter 2022 threat report from internet security and malware protection company ESET, most Android Trojan-type malware is believed to be found in India. It will continue to grow by 9.5% in the second half of 2022. And one of the main suspects is the GB WhatsApp app, responsible for spreading the malware.
The GB WhatsApp app, which is a third-party WhatsApp client, is an easy way to spread Android spyware. The app is basically a modded version of WhatsApp which offers additional features on top of the regular WhatsApp features. You won’t find the app listed on the Google Play Store; users need to download its APK and download it from other sources. However, downloaded files are easily modified with malicious content and spread malware as soon as users download them.
Android malware spreads with GB WhatsApp
Once the app is installed, the malicious codes run in the background undetected by the user. What is even more dangerous is that Trojan malware is not immediately noticeable as it leaves no traces on your phone and even shows signs that it is there. Spyware has no effect on the day-to-day performance of your smartphone. Therefore, the spyware will continue to steal your data, and you may not even know it.
The only known way to get rid of this malware is to hard reset your device. And that means you will lose all your data. Even having a backup of this data and reinstalling it would reset the malware.
How to stay safe
– Do not download or install apps outside of the Google Play Store. Most APK files hosted on other websites and app libraries may contain embedded malware.
– Never download a modded version of WhatsApp or any other social media app. Unless the developer releases the app themselves, stick to the official app.
– If you suspect that your phone is infected with malware, immediately disconnect the internet connection and perform a hard factory reset. Avoid downloading such suspicious apps from unverified websites.