Is it possible to get infected by malware by downloading a whatsapp image?

[Seth Volcano]

That's my question, is it possible to get infected by malware by downloading a whatsapp image?

 

[B. Diddy]

That would seem unlikely, because malware would still require the user to agree to installation of the malicious package. A simple download wouldn't do that. Is there a reason you're concerned about this?

 

[Seth Volcano]

Thank you for answering my question. A few days ago I received a message from an unknown number, it was just an image, but since I don't know it, that's why I had doubts

 

[B. Diddy]

Probably just spam. Could you see the image, or was it a broken thumbnail?

 

[Seth Volcano]

I could see the image

 

[belodion]

Report it.

 

[B. Diddy]

You saw the image -- but did you tap it or manually save it to the phone? If it was just part of the message, then it's not dangerous. If you manually saved a copy of the image to the phone, then that might increase the risk of little bit, if there's some malicious payload embedded in the image. But it would still require that you agree to the installation of the payload.

 

[Seth Volcano]

Sorry, but I did not understand you, what do you mean as if it were part of the message? The image came to me in a normal way, like when you send an image, you could see it in the chat, without having to put it on full screen or having to open it from another side like the file manager

 

[B. Diddy]

What I mean is that if you just observed the image as part of the message, then you didn't download anything physically to the phone. If you tapped the image and selected an option to save it or download it to the phone, then there might be a bit more risk.

 

[Seth Volcano]

Oh I understand, yes I downloaded it, however at the moment I deleted it and did an analysis with malwarebytes and it did not detect anything,
and I haven't noticed anything strange

 

[tadpoles]

Oh I understand, yes I downloaded it, however at the moment I deleted it and did an analysis with malwarebytes and it did not detect anything,
and I haven't noticed anything strange

Off topic: Seth, your avatar looks like Samus Aron from Metroid.

 

[B. Diddy]

I think you're safe. Make sure the ability to install apps from Unknown Sources is turned off, and that will go a long way in protecting you. Review my other tips here: [GUIDE] How To Avoid Malware - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

 

[Seth Volcano]

Yes, I verified that, in android 12 the option to install unknown applications is per application and not general according to vi, and all applications have the permission disabled. Thank you for your answers!

 

[Seth Volcano]

Off topic: Seth, your avatar looks like Samus Aron from Metroid.

Yes, several people have told me that