iWorld
This friendship day, stay connected with friends with these unique features by Facebook!
NEW DELHI: International Friendship Day is here! This is the perfect occasion to let your friends know how precious and loved they are!
In the era where social distancing is a must, we are lucky to be a part of a generation where technology has enhanced so much, giving us plentiful online forums for social interactions.
Here’s how you can celebrate Friendship Day on Facebook this year –
Messenger Rooms
Spend quality time with friends through group video calls with Messenger Rooms. Create a room right from Messenger or Facebook, and invite anyone to join your video call, even if they don’t have a Facebook account. Host celebrations, or just hang out on the couch with friends.
If you have the Messenger app, you can also be creative and explore various AR effects like bunny ears, and new AI-powered features including immersive 360 backgrounds and mood lighting, for a more interactive and fun experience.
Start a Watch Party
Instead of sending your friends that funny video you saw on Facebook, watch it with them by starting a Watch Party. This feature lets you watch videos on Facebook together in real time. Tap “Write post” and select “Watch Party”. Search for your videos, add to queue, and tap done. Now sit back and bring out the popcorn.
Facebook Groups
One step away from bringing friends together, Facebook Group helps you create memories and stay connected.
To create a Group:
Click the three lines on the bottom right of your mobile and select Groups.
Tap the plus sign on the top right and set your group privacy settings to Secret
Invite your friends to join!
Connect with Friends on Facebook Live
Facebook Live enables you to share your experiences and perspectives in real time, with the people who matter to you – whether you’re someone who wants to broadcast to friends and family, or connect across continents. Do away with the distance and, connect in real time with your friends on Facebook Live.
To share live video, simply tap “What’s on your mind?” at the top of News Feed and select the Live Video icon. You can write a quick description and select the audience before going live. During your broadcast, you’ll see the number of live viewers, the names of friends who are tuning in, and can respond to comments in real time,
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iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
