Khaberni - Cybersecurity experts have issued an urgent warning to users of the "WhatsApp" application to disable the auto-download feature for media to avoid a technical loophole that allows device hacking.
Reports revealed a security flaw detected by Google’s "Project Zero" team in the media storage mechanism on the WhatsApp application without human intervention, known as "auto-download." This feature automatically saves images, video clips, and documents to users' devices. This flaw has been exploited by attackers by creating fake groups on the WhatsApp application, through which invitations are sent to victims.
Once the victim joins the group, the device begins to receive malicious software, giving hackers full control. Although there are no specific numbers to illustrate how many have fallen into the hacking trap, concern is growing as the number of app users exceeds billions around the world.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp management has acknowledged this programming flaw and immediately launched a new update to fix it and ensure that such attacks do not recur in the future.
What are the risks of auto-download on WhatsApp to device security?
The security report clarified that the malicious files downloaded to the phone due to the auto-download feature give hackers complete remote control of the device. Once this loophole in the WhatsApp application is exploited, attackers can steal your passwords, disable the security programs on the device, and open secret "backdoors" which allow them to spy on all device contents and fully control its functions without the user noticing any strange activity.
What are the steps to disable media auto-download in WhatsApp?
"Malwarebytes," a company specializing in cybersecurity, stated that disabling this feature is the most important and effective step to protect your privacy at this time to ensure your account is fully secure, which can be done as follows:
Open the WhatsApp application and then go directly to the settings menu.
Press on the storage and data option to control how files are received.
Go to the auto-download media section to modify the storage options.
Deselect all types of files such as images, clips, and documents.
Ensure to save the new settings to prevent any automatic download in the future.
Once the user disables the auto-download feature, the application will stop saving any media on your phone without your knowledge, and this action allows you the opportunity to filter the files you download first, giving you full control to choose what you want to manually download after verifying its source, thus preventing malicious software from stealthily infiltrating your device's memory.
