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WABetaInfo has detailed how certain messages circulate that will cause WhatsApp to freeze, even if you exit and re-enter the application.
Then the user has to delete and reinstall WhatsApp, which can cause them to lose their chat history.
These messages, which WABetaInfo has called “scary messages,” comprise a variety of strange characters that apparently make no sense.
However, these strange characters don’t just confuse you: WhatsApp interprets the message incorrectly or cannot process the message completely.
“The combination of these characters creates a situation where WhatsApp cannot process the message, resulting in an infinite block,” said WABetaInfo.
Many of these messages are reportedly in the form of VCards, where if you open the VCard, the contacts have long, strange names, which are actually lock codes.
These VCards can also contain payloads to cause more trouble for affected users.
There are reportedly many secret WhatsApp groups where users share these codes for the purpose of blocking WhatsApp for users on specific platforms.
How to protect yourself
WABetaInfo said that there is no general and effective solution to this problem.
The best way to protect yourself if you receive a message that appears to be one of these “scary messages” is to block the contact on WhatsApp Web.
However, if WhatsApp Web cannot reach your device due to the app crashing, you will need to reinstall WhatsApp, which will cause you to lose your chat history.
Therefore, WABetaInfo also recommends backing up your chat history at least once a week.
Also, WABetaInfo suggests that you set your group’s privacy settings in “My Contacts” so that unknown contacts cannot add you to groups with these lock codes.
He noted that the problem appears to be particularly prevalent in Brazil according to users who have discussed the problem with WABetaInfo on social media.
However, the nature of the Internet is such that anyone using WhatsApp is at risk.
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