Khaberni - WhatsApp revealed the targeting of about 200 users via a fake application that was designed to implant spyware into their devices, in one of the latest hacking campaigns exploiting trust in popular apps.
WhatsApp accused an Italian company specializing in surveillance software, called "SIO," of being behind the development of a fake version of the WhatsApp application aimed at iPhone users, with the aim of hacking their devices and stealing their data, according to a report published by "TechCrunch" and reviewed by "Alarabiya Business".
WhatsApp clarified that its security team proactively identified the affected users, most of whom were concentrated in Italy, noting that it had logged them out of the app and warned them of the risks associated with using unofficial applications, inviting them to delete the fake version and download the original application.
The company spokesperson, Margarita Franklin, confirmed that the priority was to protect the users, without revealing more details about the identities of those targeted, or whether they were journalists or activists in civil society.
WhatsApp also announced its intention to take legal action against the developer of the spyware, aiming to stop these activities.
Reports indicate that the Italian company "SIO" had previously developed similar malicious applications for Android, which included fake versions of "WhatsApp" and bogus technical support tools, and incorporated spyware named "Spyrtacus" in its code.
Using fake applications as a means of surveillance is a common method among some entities, where phishing links are sometimes sent to victims, occasionally in collaboration with telecommunications companies.
This incident comes a year after WhatsApp notified about 90 users that they had been exposed to spy attacks using tools developed by Paragon Solutions, which at the time caused a widespread controversy in Italy and later led the company to sever its relationships with government entities there.
