Re: WhatsApp now the new platform targeted to steal users privacies and funds.
It's one of few cases where people with common security awareness would become a victim. WhatsApp should've prevented script/program inside image from being executed. While the news doesn't mention it, i wonder whether this vulnerability still works if you disable certain permission on WhatsApp.
That's good idea. But it's not practical if you live on place where WhatsApp is very popular where legitimate people (such as recruiter or delivery courier) is likely to contact you using WhatsApp.
Right! it could obstruct a lot for guys who use WhatsApp as regular contact however, one can use the second option which is only download images on will. that is more practical as you can point out who is sending you an image and if it's from an unknown contact then one would skeptical about it and avoid downloading it. [1] Since most of this scammers get contacts from groups and other places where one exposed their contact Without ones awareness it's best to head over to your WhatsApp settings > Privacy > Advanced > Then enable Block unknown account messages.
That's good idea. But it's not practical if you live on place where WhatsApp is very popular where legitimate people (such as recruiter or delivery courier) is likely to contact you using WhatsApp.
This is not to be blamed on WhatsApp whatsoever, but on the carelessness of the victims or intending victims. And this has nothing to do with the end-to-end encryption, they are different things.
Rule number 2; never you think it can't happen to you, if guys with high tech knowledge can fall victim of different scam or malicious attacks, you shouldn't ever think your immune to this and the victims are careless because one could be careful but the evolution of attacks could beat your awareness which is a good reason OP posted this as an awareness/warning.