Malicious Link Crashing Phones: WhatsApp Bug Discovered, Posing Threat to Android Phones

A recently discovered issue in WhatsApp has emerged as a significant concern for Android phone users. This particular bug revolves around a link that is circulating within the Android version of the widely-used messaging application (wa.me/settings). When this link is accessed through a group or individual chat, it possesses the ability to immediately crash the user's phone. Merely opening a chat that includes the link triggers the crash, though the app typically restarts normally unless the message thread is revisited.

The malicious link redirects users to the settings page of the WhatsApp app, posing a significant risk, especially for individuals who regularly utilize the shortcut. The discovery of this bug can be credited to Twitter user BruteBee, while Android Authority has verified that the current version of WhatsApp, namely 2.23.10.77, is susceptible to this issue. The extent to which other versions of the app are affected by this problematic link remains uncertain.

The current situation bears resemblance to previous occurrences where apparently innocuous images or links that had masked malicious attributes resulted in device crashes. In 2018, there were notable incidents, such as the well-known black dot found within WhatsApp messages, which caused phones to crash, and the triggering of crashes on iOS devices through the inclusion of random Telugu characters. Likewise, in 2020, the utilization of text bombs or "crash codes" led to a repetitive cycle of crashes.

These incidents highlight the vulnerability of messaging platforms and the ongoing need for robust security measures to counter such threats. User awareness, caution, and regular updates from messaging platforms are crucial to ensuring the safety and integrity of digital communication.

The reason behind this issue is believed to stem from the way WhatsApp handles shortened URLs. While an official fix has yet to be released, Android Police has suggested a temporary workaround that affected users can utilize until WhatsApp addresses the problem. It is worth noting that the detrimental effects of the malicious link do not extend to WhatsApp Web, providing an avenue for users experiencing crashes to be able to log on to their WhatsApp accounts via a website/browser and delete the message containing the troublesome link.

In conclusion, it is strongly advised to refrain from sending the problematic link through WhatsApp Web until a comprehensive resolution is implemented. WhatsApp is actively working on a forthcoming patch that will effectively address the bug, providing enhanced security measures to safeguard its user base. Stay vigilant and await the impending update from WhatsApp to ensure a secure messaging experience.

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by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

Breaking Boundaries: The Story Behind Bluesky's 100,000 Member Milestone

Bluesky, a social media platform positioned as an alternative to Twitter, has achieved a notable milestone by surpassing 100,000 members during its beta phase. This decentralized network, which is currently in its invite-only development stage, has successfully attracted a substantial user base. Recent usage data reveals that more than half of the platform's users have collectively generated over 3 million posts since the initiation of data collection on May 1. This active engagement is evident through an average of 55 posts per account. However, it is estimated that approximately 43,000 users may have joined Bluesky out of curiosity, opting to explore the platform during its trial period.

H/T: Reddit

Despite the vast user bases of Twitter and Facebook, Bluesky's numbers may appear less impressive at first glance. However, considering the platform's exclusivity and early stage of development, these figures are actually quite commendable. Although Bluesky has been in the spotlight for a couple of years, its official launch on iOS took place in February 2023, followed by the release of an Android version in late April.

Bluesky's origins are deeply rooted in the vision of Jack Dorsey, the former CEO, and co-founder of Twitter. In 2019, Dorsey aligned himself with a growing movement advocating for more open platforms that prioritize authenticity in content sharing and interactions. Surprisingly, this unwavering commitment eventually led to Dorsey's departure from Twitter, allowing Elon Musk to take over the platform. Bluesky entered the scene as a direct competitor to Twitter, standing alongside Mastodon and Parler, all driven by similar philosophical aspirations while forging their distinct paths forward.

Bluesky functions similarly to Twitter in terms of its core features. Users can compose and share brief messages within a character limit of 256, and these posts are displayed in a chronological timeline. The platform also allows users to express appreciation for posts by liking them and sharing them with others. However, it is important to note that Bluesky is currently in the developmental stage and lacks certain features that Twitter users are familiar with, including the ability to create lists and engage in direct messaging. Despite these similarities and differences, the underlying mechanics of Bluesky set it apart from Twitter in significant ways.

Bluesky adopts an innovative and decentralized protocol known as AT, which bears a resemblance to Mastodon and operates on a blockchain-inspired system. This unique approach grants users a greater sense of autonomy and control over their social media interactions, freeing them from the constraints imposed by corporate powers. Bluesky creators she light of the seamless transfer of account data to other social media platforms operating on the same protocol. This seamless transition enables users to preserve their followers and posts without experiencing any data loss when transitioning between platforms.

Bluesky prioritizes the portability of user accounts, ensuring that social connections remain intact even if users decide to switch providers. Moreover, Bluesky allows users to personalize their accounts by using their own domain names as handles on the platform. The platform places significant emphasis on three key objectives: portability, scale, and trust. Portability is crucial in enabling users to seamlessly transition between different providers while maintaining their social connections. Scale is essential for facilitating global engagement and participation in discussions.

Bluesky has implemented a carefully managed growth strategy by utilizing an exclusive invitation system. Users who receive invitations have the privilege of inviting up to two additional users, and there are instances where Bluesky increases the invitation limit. For individuals who are not connected to anyone on the platform, there is an opportunity to join the waitlist on the official Bluesky website. By providing their email addresses, interested individuals can express their eagerness to join the community.

As Bluesky continues to gain traction, it presents a compelling alternative to traditional social media platforms. Its decentralized approach and emphasis on user control set it apart, offering a unique social networking experience. By prioritizing portability, scale, and trust, Bluesky aims to empower users and foster open discourse, promising a refreshing perspective in the ever-evolving landscape of social media.

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by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

Cybersecurity Now Trumps Financial Performance for Most CEOs

Cyberattacks have become concerningly commonplace these days, and that is leading to many CEOs reshuffling their priorities with all things having been considered and taken into account. Breaches in cybersecurity can be devastating because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up holding back the financial performance of a company. Hence, many CEOs around the world now consider staving off cyber threats to be more important than finances.

This data comes from a survey of around 2,500 CEOs which was conducted by Palo Alto Networks. These CEOs hail from a variety of locations including the UAE, UK, Brazil, Germany and France. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 51% of CEOs reported suffering from sleepless nights due to the ever present threat of cyber attacks.

Only 16% of CEOs feel that they know enough to prevent such attacks. Since 21% of them consider protecting their companies from these threats as their sole responsibility, these sleepless nights are quite understandable. 24% feel that this responsibility is shared between them and their Chief Information Officers, which doesn’t change the very real stress that can come with the increasingly dangerous presence of malware and other forms of cyber attacks that can set a company back by a large margin.

In spite of the fact that this is the case, 78% claimed that they have confidence in their company’s ability to keep these attacks at bay. 74% also said that they have a versatile framework that can be adapted to suit various types of attacks, although just 36% said that they would be willing to collaborate with an incident response team.

Interestingly, just 34% of CEOs said that they would pay a ransom if their organization were to suffer from a ransomware attack. It is widely known that paying this ransom can make a future ransomware attack far more likely than might have been the case otherwise, so it is heartening sign that so many CEOs know that they should not cave in to the demands of malicious actors.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

WhatsApp Enhances User Experience with New Features for iPhone and Windows

WhatsApp, the Meta-owned platform, has recently introduced two updates that enhance user experience. These updates include the latest Companion Mode for iPhone users, as well as the app language feature along with draft filter for unsent texts, introduced in the beta version for Windows.

The app developers have always strived to improve the interface and offer a seamless messaging experience. With the newest feature getting released, iPhone users will be allowed access to the Companion Mode. This option lets users to mirror their app conversations on a connected device, such as an iPad or Mac. By syncing their account across different devices, users can easily revisit their messages and carry on conversations without changing between devices. This new functionality is meant to simplify communication and enhance productivity for iPhone users who work across multiple Apple products .

Screenshot: Wabetainfo
Furthermore, the testing version for Windows has received two noteworthy updates. The first one is the app language update, which enable audience to choose their desired language for the app’s interface. It will serve those who are comfortable using the app in a language other than English. By providing a variety of different options, WhatsApp ensures a personalized and inclusive experience for its global user base.

The second one introduced is the text draft filter. It is designed to help people manage their drafts more efficiently. When writing a text message and leaving it unfinished, WhatsApp will now automatically save it as a draft. With the availability of draft option, users can easily locate and access these saved texts, making it convenient to move forward with the conversations right where it was left off. It will be helpful for individuals who frequently change between conversations or have more than one ongoing chats.

Both of these updates demonstrate WhatsApp’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. By implementing the Companion update, the platform will make it easy for iPhone version audience to seamlessly communicate across their Apple devices. Meanwhile, the other 2 updates released for Windows version provides personalization features and efficiency in managing conversations.

Audience can look forward to these changes in the future as the pilot variant has already started taking off and will soon be available on other devices and platforms. These updates not only enhance the user experience but also reflect WhatsApp’s dedication to providing a user-friendly messaging experience.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Massive Android Spyware Epidemic: Over 400 Million Android App Downloads Under Attack

In a shocking revelation, cybersecurity researchers at Dr. Web have uncovered a new strain of Android malware that has made its way into multiple apps, previously available for download on the Google Play Store. This insidious malware, collectively downloaded over 400 million times, poses a significant threat to users' privacy and data security.

The recently discovered spyware, known as 'SpinOk' according to cybersecurity firm Dr. Web, functions as an integral component of an advertisement software development kit (SDK) that surreptitiously embeds itself within legitimate applications. Its main purpose is to illicitly gather private data from users' devices and surreptitiously transmit it to a remote server, all without the users' awareness or consent. Dr. Web's report sounds the alarm, cautioning users about the significant risks associated with this malicious software.

The malicious SDK employed by SpinOk employs deceptive tactics to engage users, such as offering enticing daily rewards and incorporating mini-games to pique their interest. These seemingly innocent features serve as a smokescreen for the underlying nefarious activities the spyware performs.

Behind the scenes, SpinOk utilizes advanced techniques to evade detection and analysis. By monitoring the gyroscope and magnetometer data on the Android device, the trojan SDK verifies whether it is being scrutinized in a controlled environment, commonly employed by security researchers to assess potentially malicious apps.

Once SpinOk completes its security checks, it establishes a connection with a remote server to fetch a collection of URLs. These URLs serve as a vital component in delivering the expected mini-games to users. While users immerse themselves in these mini-games, completely unaware of any malicious activity, the SDK clandestinely carries out various harmful operations in the background.

The SpinOk SDK possesses several alarming capabilities. It can scan directories, search for specific files, upload files from the compromised device, and even manipulate clipboard contents. Of particular concern is its file exfiltration functionality, which puts users' private images, videos, and documents at risk of exposure and compromise.

Moreover, the ability of the SDK to manipulate the clipboard has sparked significant alarm. This feature empowers the malware operators to gain unauthorized access to highly sensitive information, encompassing login credentials, financial data such as credit card details, and even take hold of cryptocurrency transactions, redirecting funds to their own crypto wallet addresses.

In a startling revelation, Dr. Web's investigation has brought to light a disturbing finding - the presence of the malicious SpinOk SDK in a staggering number of apps. This malicious SDK was discovered in a total of 101 apps, resulting in an astounding cumulative download count of over 421,290,300 from the Google Play Store. Among the affected apps are several well-known and popular ones, including Noizz, Zapya, VFly, MVBit, Biugo, Crazy Drop, Cashzine, Fizzo Novel, CashEM, and Tick. Notably, Google Play acted swiftly upon learning about the malware's existence and promptly removed all the mentioned apps, with the exception of one. This proactive response demonstrates their commitment to protecting users from potential threats. Only after developers had thoroughly cleaned their software and submitted updated versions were the apps reinstated on the platform.

It is highly recommended that individuals who have downloaded any of the aforementioned apps take immediate action to safeguard their devices. Updating to the latest versions of these apps from the official Google Play Store is crucial as it will likely include security measures to protect against the malware. However, in cases where an app has been removed from the official store, it is imperative to uninstall it without delay.

Read next: Increased Interest and Career Opportunities in Cybersecurity Emerge in May 2023
by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

Canalys' Q4 Projections: Insights on US PC Market Recovery

According to Canalys, a leading analyst company, the US PC market appears to have hit its lowest point and is now poised for a recovery in the fourth quarter of the year. After experiencing a surge in desktop and notebook shipments during the work-from-home period, with over 25 M units delivered in 2021, the market witnessed a decline in subsequent quarters, with only 14 M unit shipments reported in the most recent quarter.

In Canalys' analysis of the first quarter of this year, it was found that there were 11.4 million units of notebooks shipped and 2.7 million units of desktops shipped. Unfortunately, both categories witnessed a decrease in shipments compared to the previous year, with notebooks declining by 31 percent and desktops declining by 28 percent.

On the other hand, the tablet market displayed greater resilience, experiencing a relatively modest decrease in shipments of only 7 percent, totaling 10.8 million units. It is worth noting that Apple's iPad played a substantial role in bolstering the tablet sector, recording its highest shipment numbers in the two previous quarters, surpassing the performance achieved since the first quarter of 2021.

Ishan Dutt, who holds the position of Principal Analyst at Canalys, emphasized the combination of different elements that played a role in the decline of the US PC market in early 2023. He pointed out that the expected decrease in demand following the holiday season aligned with the conclusion of inventory adjustments in the distribution channel. Consequently, the sale of PCs was subdued. Additionally, businesses have been confronting economic challenges, along with multiple increases in interest rates from the year's start till date. This situation has prompted budget-conscious organizations to prolong the use of their current PCs, focusing solely on essential upgrades.

While the tablet market experienced a modest decline overall, Apple's iPad demonstrated growth in shipments. Comparing the year 2023's first quarter to the same period the previous year, iPad shipments increased from 4.4 M to 5.4 M units, representing a growth rate of 20.5 percent. In contrast, TCL was the only other tablet company to witness growth, although the increase was a mere 0.9 percent, pale in comparison to Apple's performance. Companies such as Amazon, Samsung, and Microsoft, on the other hand, saw a decline in tablet shipments, with Microsoft experiencing the most significant drop of 30.4 percent.

In the realm of PCs, there was a notable absence of year-over-year growth across all companies. Surprisingly, Apple encountered the most severe decline in the PC market, experiencing a -35.8 percent negative yearly growth rate. Following closely behind, Lenovo faces a decline of -35 percent. However, HP performed relatively better, demonstrating greater resilience amidst market challenges, with a growth rate of -13.2 percent.

Given the rise in interest rates and the current economic challenges faced by Germany, a prominent force in Europe, there is a looming possibility that other advanced economies might also face a downturn. This potential slowdown could have implications for Canalys' projection of a recovery in the US PC market, although the ultimate outcome can only be determined with the passage of time.

In conclusion, the US PC market seems to have reached its lowest point and is now positioned for a recovery in the fourth quarter of the year. While notebook and desktop shipments have declined, the tablet market, led by Apple's iPad, has shown more resilience. The challenges faced by businesses and economic pressures have contributed to the slowdown in PC sales, with organizations opting for critical upgrades and extending the life cycle of their existing devices. As the market evolves, industry players will closely monitor the impact of external factors and adapt their strategies accordingly.

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by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

TikTok’s CEO Allotted New Job By Parent Firm ByteDance

The CEO of TikTok has been in the spotlight ever since he was forced to endure an intense grilling session by the American Congress in March of this year.

Now, we’re hearing more about how Shou Zi Chew has been awarded a new additional job by TikTok’s parent firm ByteDance.

In a recently published article by The Information, it was mentioned how TikTok’s parent company wants him to be the head of one of their leading apps called Lemon8. This makes him the main supervisor for the platform as even the app’s current in charge would now be reporting to the TikTok CEO.

We saw the new app getting launched across the US at the start of this year. And that’s very interesting as it was around for quite some time in the market including places like Japan, ever since 2020 began.

As per reports from The New York Times, TikTok’s parent firm ended up hiring more influencers this past year so they could create more awareness about this platform. And in case some people are still wondering what type of app is Lemon8 then remember it has to do with lifestyle and mostly is linked to food, lifestyle, travel, and more.

Some people were seen speculating how the platform is designed to compete with another arch-rival in today’s industry like Instagram. So as you can imagine, the app really has a lot of things to do because Meta’s Instagram has a whopping figure when it comes down to active users.

Today, Lemon8 has a whopping 17.3 million download figures for users around the globe and that’s quite a staggering amount, considering the fact that it was only launched in the year 2020.

But within no time, it was able to make its mark in the American industry as recent stats from Insider Intelligence revealed. Also, let’s not forget how a small among of users of Lemon8 are those that also make use of the leading social media app TikTok.

Now, a lot of rumors are also arising linked to how Lemon8 could be a real replacement for the app and it may have been banned in America or other nations of the West as politicians continued to mention.

It’s all very interesting as the tensions rise in the US in regard to a possible ban of the app. As it is, Montana has become the first state to ban TikTok and who knows what could possibly be next.

Photo: TED / YouTube

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World