A fake version of WhatsApp has emerged online and is threatening user security, according to a blog post from Malwarebytes Lab.

The version, called WhatsApp Plus takes control over the personal data of the users once it is installed on a device.

Though the malicious app is not available on Google Play store, a link to the APK file to the app, which is classified as Fake WhatsApp riskware, is available.

Once installed, a screen with a golden WhatsApp logo appears on the device along with a URL.

Once the user taps ‘agree and continue’ option, the user will be directed towards an update that will come with a new version of the application.

The user is then diverted to an unknown web page where all the text is written in Arabic script.

This website, in turn, allows the user to download ‘Watts Plus Plus WhatsApp’.

The malware app, according to the blog, then starts to control the device.

It comes with many unique features including the ability to hide a message that is being typed, hiding information to the sender regarding whether the user has read his text or not , whether the user is typing a message or not among others.

It also lets user to hide the notification if he has played a voice clip.

The report was unclear about how the malicious app functions, or how it gathers data.