As the voice-calling feature on WhatsApp is getting popular in Bahrain, spammers are finding a way to trap potential victims. A message is being circulated on WhatApp with a link to download WatsApp calling feature. But then, it’s a spam, warned an IT expert. At the same time, another message is being circulated warning people against trying the voice-calling feature."If you receive a message saying WhatsApp calling is activated and asking you to send to 10 people by clicking the link WhatsappCalling.com don’t click that link. It’s a spam/malware and will read all your phone details. If you look carefully, that link will actually take you to a github.iosite address. This domain is booked by someone from California and the name of the server of this site is among the blocked list of GoDaddy domain registrar. Please pass on to your circles," the message stated.
Speaking to DT News, Information Security & Social Media Expert Dr. Mohammad Alaa Hussain Al-Hamami warned the link could take the user to a website, which tries to exploit the internet browser to get access to the user’s computer or mobile device by triggering malicious codes.
"The attacker might want to get people to visit his/ her website to advertise products, opinions and manipulate polls. The attacker may use our computer and mobile devices as zombies. Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS) uses Domain Name System (DNS) where a small query with a fake sender address can result in a much larger reply," he said.
He said, "To understand this people have to understand the concept of links (hyperlinks).""The hyperlink presentation consists of two major components: The visible text that we see as WhatsappCalling.com for example and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that the hyperlink refers to.
He warned people to click only those links that are provided by a trusted party and not to click suspicious hyperlinks, even if they don’t look harmful.
"The best way to know about the news and updates of a product is by visiting the official website of the product," he said.
"The correct procedure to avail WhatsApp calling service is by using the instructions that are published on their official website (www.whatsapp.com).Until now, WhatsApp calling service is only available for Android and will be soon available for IOS and Windows phones," he added.
* Daily Tribune News. Monday, march 30, 2015.
"The attacker might want to get people to visit his/ her website to advertise products, opinions and manipulate polls. The attacker may use our computer and mobile devices as zombies. Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS) uses Domain Name System (DNS) where a small query with a fake sender address can result in a much larger reply," he said.
He said, "To understand this people have to understand the concept of links (hyperlinks).""The hyperlink presentation consists of two major components: The visible text that we see as WhatsappCalling.com for example and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that the hyperlink refers to.
He warned people to click only those links that are provided by a trusted party and not to click suspicious hyperlinks, even if they don’t look harmful.
"The best way to know about the news and updates of a product is by visiting the official website of the product," he said.
"The correct procedure to avail WhatsApp calling service is by using the instructions that are published on their official website (www.whatsapp.com).Until now, WhatsApp calling service is only available for Android and will be soon available for IOS and Windows phones," he added.
* Daily Tribune News. Monday, march 30, 2015.