Starting October 24, 2023, WhatsApp will no longer support smartphones running Android 4.4 and older versions of this operating system generation. One way around this limitation is to install an unofficial messaging client from third-party developers, but this method may cause people to lose payment information and other personal data. Pavel Kuznetsov, product director of the Garda group of companies specializing in information security, told socialbites.ca.
“I strongly do not recommend using modified WhatsApp clients as they are distributed through unofficial application sources. Such resources, unlike Google Play, do not bear any responsibility to users for the code of the distributed software. At the same time, the probability of a malicious payload coming to the application from such a source is relatively high. This applies to applications for all purposes, including instant messengers,” said Kuznetsov.
By malicious installation, the expert means various illegitimate functions that attackers use for personal gain. In particular, according to Kuznetsov, an alternative WhatsApp client downloaded from an unofficial source may contain a module that steals payment information from the smartphone. The latter can ultimately be used by cybercriminals to steal victim funds.
“Of course, the best thing is to stop using an outdated smartphone altogether. However, if this is not possible then I can offer two recommendations. The first is to use so-called overlay protection tools, such as mobile antiviruses. The second is to comply with digital hygiene rules. In the context of operating system aging, this recommendation applies primarily to the use of official applications. Be it WhatsApp or any other online service,” the expert added.
Even if a person doesn’t have a new smartphone, they probably have a computer. Kuznetsov believes the app could run a browser version of WhatsApp, which is likely more secure than a client from an unknown source.
To know more about WhatsApp problems on older Android smartphones and their possible solutions, read the following: In the material “socialbites.ca”.