Pink WhatsApp: What is it, and why you shouldn’t download it?

Many individuals have been getting WhatsApp forwards with a link that purports to be the installation link for the application’s pink-themed edition. The ‘Pink WhatsApp’ message announces the launch of WhatsApp’s new official version, which includes new features and a pink aesthetic.

Although the link does alter the application’s color to pink, “WhatsApp Pink” is one of those malicious apps that steals data from the phone, including OTPs, contacts, photographs, and banking information.

What is Pink WhatsApp?

Whatsapp users are receiving “forwarded” messages saying that a new version of the software called “Pink Whatsapp” is now available for download. The message offers new features as well as a pink appearance for the well-known chat app. Conveniently, the notification also contains a link that consumers may utilize to start the program download.

While ‘WhatsApp Pink’ may appear to be an exclusive update at first glance, it is a malicious program made to download onto a smartphone and steal personal information such as banking information, access to One-Time Passwords (OTPs), images, and contacts.

Media sources claim that the ‘WhatsApp Pink Scam’ is not a brand-new scamming software and was originally identified in April 2021 by internet security expert Rajshekhar Rajaharia.

In a tweet sent earlier this month, the Mumbai Police Cyber Crime Wing also warned users about the “WhatsApp Pink” app and provided instructions on how to shield their devices from similar phishing attacks.

The rumor that the ‘New Pink Look WhatsApp with more features’ is making the rounds among WhatsApp users recently is a fraud that might result in the dangerous software hijacking of your phone. Fraudsters frequently devise new schemes and techniques to entice trusting consumers into falling into their traps and committing online fraud. In their advice, the Mumbai Police urged people to “stay safe and secure in the digital realm by being Aware, Alert, and Attentive to these sorts of scams.

How to protect your cellphone from frauds like WhatsApp Pink?

People who wish to safeguard their smartphones from these frauds should only download and install software from reputable sites like the Google Play Store. Apple forbids the installation of apps from unidentified sources, so iPhone customers are protected from these frauds.

APKs delivered by unknown senders and software from shady websites should also be avoided by users. To determine if a WhatsApp message was transferred from a friend or originated from someplace else, one may also look at the ‘transferred’ label.

How can WhatsApp Pink be deleted?

Users are encouraged to remove the program as soon as possible if they click on the link.

Users must first confirm that WhatsApp Pink isn’t connected to any other devices before removing it from their handset. This may be verified under WhatsApp’s ‘Linked devices’ section.

According to certain reports, WhatsApp Pink may make an effort to disappear from the list of installed applications after installation. To properly uninstall the software, suspicious devices must be manually removed.

The user data must also be safeguarded by inspecting all download directories to make sure no further files from the download are still present on a device.

Last but not least, if you receive such communications, don’t send them to other people to prevent the fraud from reaching additional gullible or susceptible individuals. Please be careful to alert everyone who has received the message if it has been distributed from your device.

What occurs once you install Pink WhatsApp?

After downloading the software, users encountered a barrage of advertisements before completely losing control of their smartphones.

Your personal information, including contacts and one-time passwords (OTP), is sought after by the fraudsters who launched the Pink WhatsApp app.

How can you tell whether Pink WhatsApp was downloaded by mistake?

To alert impacted users that they are using a third-party app, the official WhatsApp client will reportedly display an in-app notification. The user will be banned from WhatsApp for utilizing unauthorized third-party applications.

If you get an in-app warning indicating your account was “temporarily banned,” you’re either using an unauthorized version of WhatsApp or you could be “scraping,” which is the practice of gathering data.

The abuse of contact information and photos kept on mobile devices, financial loss, compromise of your passwords, spam messages, and other issues can all result from downloading WhatsApp Pink. It is urged that users remove the bogus software they downloaded on their phone right away by going to settings > applications > WhatsApp (pink logo) and doing so.

Only click on links from unidentified sources after sufficient verification or authentication. Additionally, you should always download software from a trustworthy website or the official Google or iOS app store.

Never reveal your login credentials, passwords, credit or debit card information, or any other similar information with anybody online since it might be used for illegal purposes.

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