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Don’t click on link, WhatsApp users warned

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By Staff Reporter — MUSCAT: May 17 - The Information Technology Authority (ITA) has warned users against clicking on a link that claims to allow them to change the colour of WhatsApp. In a statement, it said the link was spelt as follows: шhатѕарр(dot)com. It contains a series of symbols that spell out the word ‘Whatsapp’, but they are symbols rather than letters, said ITA. Cautioning that the link contains an adware virus, the authority asked WhatsApp users to avoid such sites and use the application’s official website instead. “I did try to follow the link, but felt something fishy as it was different from the usual WhatsApp site. So I decided to change my mind,” said Aisha, a receptionist.


According to reviews on Reddit.com, the first site where the scam was notified, a fake website was set up to persuade WhatsApp users to download an adware onto their phone. шhатѕарр.com has been set up in an attempt to get users to download new colours update that would allow them to change the colour of their WhatsApp. People clicking on the fake шhатѕарр.com link will be asked to share the link with multiple groups. Once it is shared, the adware will get installed onto the user’s device. Once the adware is installed, a message saying WhatsApp Colours is only available on WhatsApp web and a link to Chrome extension is given.


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