Watsapp is working on detecting suspicious links shared via its platform...
Watsapp is testing a new feature to notify users of suspicious/malicious messages. At the moment the feature is being tested on Watsapp beta version for android users only. This upcoming features tags suspicious links shared within its platform.
A featured was previously launched by Watsapp to control spread of fake messages, which prevented spamming of forwarded messages by limiting forwarding of messages to only 5 recipients.
Currently the feature is available for android users only but according to some sources iPhone and Windows users will also be able to take advantage of it in future updates.
This feature of detecting dubious links works, as soon as someone forwards any suspicious link to a recipient. A red label will be shown on the message telling the recipient to beware of this link.
As per the sources, the feature uses an algorithm to detect errors in the link and if it detects any anomaly, the link is marked suspicious.
If the user still tries to open the link, they are redirected to a new window where they are again informed of the suspicious nature of the link. Link is checked locally on receivers device.
Watsapp messages are end to end encrypted, which means that Watsapp cant check the messages and links on its server that is why the link is checked locally on receivers device.
If you want to activate this feature, which is only available in Watsapp beta version, Android users will have to update the app to version 2.18.221 or later. Still if you are unable to the feature then, reinstall Watsapp but first backup the chat history.
