WhatsApp is very practical, but be careful all that the application allows you to do on your phone. In particular, you have every interest in deactivating this function that you may not have noticed.
By downloading a popular app like WhatsApp, users do not expect to become the target of crooks. However, it is unfortunately possible. There are sometimes flaws or features activated by default which can be exploited by malicious people. Between bonds trapped, scams with verification codes or phishing attempts, the risks are very real. Without alertness, it is sometimes enough for a single click for personal data to be stolen and used for unscrupulous purposes.
On the WhatsApp messaging application, there is a functionality which is automatically activated during installation, on any phone. It seems harmless, but it is not. The crooks use it to discreetly send files to users, allowing access to their personal information, such as banking data. Once this information has been recovered, they can make transfers, make online purchases or even usurp the identity of the victim to subscribe to a credit.
This is the “Automatic Media Download” function. It is used to store all the photos, videos and files that a person sends via WhatsApp, directly on the phone. In general, you realize it by consulting your photo library and noting that all the images of your WhatsApp conversations are strangely found in your gallery.
To deactivate it, it’s very simple. Just go to the WhatsApp application settings, click on the “Storage and data” tab and “Automatic Download of the Media” to select the type of media, especially “photos” then check “Never”. Thus, no received files will be saved on your phone. Which will protect you from any attempts at scam!