I think this is the third or fourth time I've seen someone ask how they can avoid auto-downloading malicious files from the internet. I guess apps like WhatsApp or Telegram need to advertise their disabled media download more often, considering how many people don't look for that option on their own. I can understand if the user is a bit older and is not curious to try new things, but it's a surprise that youngsters also don't know about it.
In that case, WhatsApp service provider to consider running adverts in calling of it community users attention in the decision about the disability of the automatic download of images or files in the platform as a significant to prevent unwanted files to automatically download itself in users devices, it may not do better because not everyone are attentive to adverts because they sees it as a waste of time that to the platforms interest is just of marketing skills and to the local mindsets, they feel satisfied with the services the platform if offering just as long they are able to sent and receive informations from other users which does not interrupt their communications.
So, the way forward to amend this auto download that had become threatening for users security and privacy in both those who are learned and unlearned is for the WhatsApp service providers to stop the auto download from the server end.
Then whosoever that want the auto service should set it on their own.
Then, it will be believed that whosoever taking the decision has the inconveniences behind it upon themselves which I believe majority won't bother going for the auto service while manual downloading options by just clicking the image will be more friendly to be used.
That will serve better because that of adverts won't speculate round to the awareness to the entire users dur to illiteracies and ignorants exhibitions as human being.