If you use WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop on your computer or laptop, this news is crucial for you. India's national cybersecurity agency, CERT-In, has issued a very serious warning. The government has reported a massive and dangerous malware campaign currently active on the internet, specifically targeting WhatsApp Web and Desktop users. Most alarmingly, this virus does not arrive from an unknown number but rather from the trusted accounts of your friends, family, or colleagues.

**Deception in the Guise of Friends**
Based on reports from cybersecurity firms Kaspersky and Securelist, CERT-In explained that hackers first compromise a user's WhatsApp account. They then send a malicious file to everyone on that hacked account's contact list. This file comes in the Visual Basic Script format. Since the message originates from the number of someone you know or are close to, people often download and open the file without suspicion—and that is precisely when they fall into the hackers' trap.

**This Virus Can Steal Everything**
If a user inadvertently runs this suspicious file on their computer, hackers gain remote access—effectively total control—over the entire device. Cybercriminals can then easily steal sensitive information stored on your computer, such as login IDs, passwords, and banking details. Furthermore, the virus can damage your entire system, spread through your office network, and install other malicious software, potentially leading to significant financial loss.

**Government Advice on Staying Safe**
To protect against this serious threat, CERT-In has offered some essential tips to users. First and foremost, if you receive any unexpected attachment or file on WhatsApp, do not open it under any circumstances—even if it was sent by your best friend or a family member. If a file seems strange or unusual, immediately call or message the friend to confirm whether they actually sent it. Do not click on any file until you are completely certain.

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