Malware exploits the basic settings of the app, which by default automatically downloads the files received, including potentially dangerous ones and which you only realise once you open the chat, where the attachment has already been downloaded. — AFP
The most dangerous computer virus now arrives on WhatsApp: just open a message and your mobile phone is infected. How?
By exploiting the basic settings of the app, which by default automatically downloads the files received, including potentially dangerous ones and which you only realise once you open the chat, where the attachment has already been downloaded.
But there is a way to defend yourself. Here are the steps to take, to avoid making mistakes, step by step.
iPhone users
For those with an iPhone, just open WhatsApp and press at the bottom right, where there is the settings gear. From the menu, select "Storage and data" and from there, under "Media auto-download", select for all file types (photos, audio, video, documents) the words "Never". Once for each item, and therefore four "never".
Android users
For those who have an Android smartphone, start from the WhatsApp home screen and press on the three dots at the top right of the display. From here go to settings and scroll down to "Storage and data". Subsequently, in the "Media auto-download" submenu, all the check marks for each media must be removed – for all three mobile data, Wi-Fi and roaming options.
This way, we will have to select what to download each time, but at the same time our phones will be safer. – Adnkronos International, Rome/Tribune News Service
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