As this file contains decrypted versions of all your messages, it is theoretically vulnerable and undermines WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.Īs you have no choice in a backup location, you are at the mercy of the cloud providers to keep your data secure. The backup file stored on iCloud or Google Drive is not necessarily encrypted. However, they actually use that number to bombard you with spam or correlate with other leaked or hacked data on the internet. Some of these websites masquerade as WhatsApp Web, asking for you to enter your phone number to connect to the service. Others tried a different approach, creating phishing websites to trick you into handing over personal information. In some cases, hackers were able to install WhatsApp spyware due to a vulnerability.
If you are unfortunate enough to have downloaded one of these, the installation can distribute malware or otherwise compromise your computer. There have been instances of attackers passing off malicious software as WhatsApp desktop applications. That isn’t true of the wider internet.Ĭriminals, hackers, and scammers have all taken advantage of this. When you search for WhatsApp on those stores, it’s generally clear which app is the official one. The app stores on phones-the App Store on iOS and Google Play Store on Android-are more carefully regulated than the internet at large. For years, WhatsApp has allowed you to open a website, or download a desktop app, scan a code with the app on your phone, and use WhatsApp on your computer. WhatsApp’s enormous user base makes it an obvious target for cybercriminals, many of who focus on WhatsApp Web.
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