With over 1 billion users ‘WhatsApp’, a global messaging app was targeted and attacked last month in a breach.
Now that the news has broke out of the most used app that was allegedly attacked by Israeli government, everybody is hyped up. Well, be calm because you have no need to delete the app!
The attack observed that the mobile devices were attacked through the voice-calling functionality of the app.
A report by Financial Times states that the spyware was developed by secretive Israeli company NSO Group. The company’s flagship product is Pegasus, a program that can: – Activate phone microphones and cameras – Trawl through emails and messages – Collect location data.
As per a report by The Washington Post, here’s what iPhone and Android users can do to ensure data security from spyware hack:
If you’re an iPhone user:
Open the App Store on your mobile device
Hit the tab “Updates” along the bottom right
If your WhatsApp has not been updated, a button will appear reading
“Update”. Tap and allow your device to install the latest version.
If your app has been updated, there will be no update button, just one that reads “Open”. No further action is required.
If you have difficulty finding WhatsApp, search for it using the search tab on the bottom right
Ensure you are running the latest version: 2.19.51
If you’re Team Android:
Open the Google Play Store on your mobile device
Tap the menu
Open the “My Apps & Games” tab
Look for the “Updates Pending” section. If your WhatsApp requires an update, it will be listed there. Tap “Update” and allow your device to install the latest version.
If your app has already been updated, there will be no update button, just one that reads “Open”. No further action is required.
If you have difficulty finding WhatsApp, search for it in the Play Store
Ensure you are running the latest version: 2.19.134
Stay tuned for more updates!
