WHATSAPP HACKED – HERE ARE THE 2 THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD DO IMMEDIATELY.

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Whats app is known for end to end encryption. It means all the data that we send to a person will be in encrypted format and cannot be read by a third party person. This update was rolled out last year after a huge havoc on security issues of WhatsApp.

But yesterday another news broke out regarding WhatsApp vulnerability to hackers. Yes! according to Facebook security advisory Whatsapp has a vunerable security bug which aids hackers in installing malware into our phones [both android and IOS].

Contents

 WHATSAPP HACKED: WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED?

WhatsApp has few venerable bugs in its code, which were used by hackers to install malware into users phone, without their consent. 
According to Security officials, earlier of this month, a security agency has identified a loophole in Whats app code, where they can easily install malware into users phone.This can help in grabbing all the data in the phone, without the user’s consent. 

The peculiarity of this bug is, the hackers can install malware through a WhatsApp call, where the user need not lift the phone. 

These security breaches were developed by hackers to target high profile individuals. The Facebook security advisory has cautioned about such suspecious Whatsapp calls, and advised users, not to lift such phone calls.

Whats app has reported that only few users were targeted with such malwared, but it can be a huge threat to personal security. (But the security agency has denied any involvement in such activities).

WHATSAPP HACKED:HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

For smooth functioning, every apps has been given some memory to store data, which is called BUFFER or STACK. This data is secured and is used by APP only for decreasing the data load. It usually contains requests that need to be handled regularly. Hackers have targeted this buffer, where they simply overload the buffer.
Due to overloading, the extra data has to be stored in other areas of mobile drive, which gives a chance to hackers to gain control over it.
Secondly, the VOIP [voice over internet protocol] is more vulnerable to hackers even though , there is END TO END ENCRYPTION.  
Hackers have developed certain malwares where they are targeting these above said vulnerabilities. As a result they are installing malware through Whatsapp Calling, where the user need not lift the call. Simple Whatsapp call to a specific user can install Hacker’s malware into their phone.

WHATSAPP HACKED: HOW CAN I PROTECT MY PHONE?

Here are the 2 things that should be done immediately to protect your phone from such vulnerability:
  1. Update your phone operating system regularly. These updates contain regular security patches, which are designed to curb hackers from hacking your phone.
  2. Update your Apps regularly. Whats app has released its new update on 10th may 2019. Even every app finds some bugs in its code, which will be rectified in their next update. Hence regular updating of your APPS is necessary.
According to Facebook security advisory, updated mobile operating systems and Whatsapp apps are less vulnerable to such hackers. They insisted all the users to do this and avoid usage of OLD VERSIONS of WHATSAPP.

A third advise is to install Antivirus applications in your phone. Mobile internet security applications are much better than mere antivirus.

With the advent of smart phones, the workflow has shifted from computers to mobiles. We can do most of our computer work in mobiles. Hence now the focus of hackers has shifted from Computers to Mobiles.
Hence follow these security steps and protect your phone.  
“YOUR PHONE IS YOUR IDENTITY”
Radix
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