WhatsApp, in September 2020, introduced new features and rolled out new updates to its users in order to prevent hackers from accessing user data saved on smartphones. However, a report by WABetaInfo states that hackers are using WhatsApp text bombs, called, ‘Binario’, ‘Contact bombs’, ‘Trava Zap’, ‘Crashers’ or simply ‘Message/ vcard crash,’ which causes smartphones to freeze and become inoperable. Its origin can be traced back to Brazil, where it started in mid-August and is now spreading worldwide.
A text bomb is but a series of randomly placed special characters having no design or meaning. WhatsApp fails to understand them, which lead to a smartphone hanging or becoming inoperable even after closing and opening the app again.
As per a WhatsApp spokesperson, users are advised to keep their WhatsApp app and mobile operating system up to date and download updates whenever they are available. No messages from unknown and suspicious contacts be opened that may contain a text bomb. Users should go into the privacy settings and allow only ‘my contacts’ to add them to any group rather than allowing the action for everyone.