WhatsApp users alert: You need to upgrade the app ASAP; here is why

WhatsApp has urged its 1.5 billion users to upgrade the app after the Facebook-owned platform discovered a vulnerability that allowed a spyware to be installed on users' phones via the app's phone call function.

WhatsApp users alert: You need to upgrade the app ASAP; here is why
The spyware was allegedly developed by the Israeli cyber intelligence company NSO Group.
By ZeeBiz WebTeam
Updated: Tue, May 14, 2019
08:20 pm
New Delhi, ZeeBiz WebDesk
RELATED NEWS
WhatsApp will soon allow you to add contacts using QR code: How this new feature might work WhatsApp will soon allow you to add contacts using QR code: How this new feature might work
This new WhatsApp privacy and invite setting can help you; check benefits This new WhatsApp privacy and invite setting can help you; check benefits
Whatsapp's new profile picture update may remove this big option for users! Whatsapp's new profile picture update may remove this big option for users!
What to do if you get these messages on WhatsApp What to do if you get these messages on WhatsApp
Beware! Your WhatsApp account may be vulnerable to hackers; Here's why Beware! Your WhatsApp account may be vulnerable to hackers; Here's why

WhatsApp has urged its 1.5 billion users to upgrade the app after the Facebook-owned platform discovered a vulnerability that allowed a spyware to be installed on users' phones via the app's phone call function. In a statement, WhatsApp asked the users to upgrade the app and stay safe against potential targeted exploits designed to compromise information. "WhatsApp encourages people to upgrade to the latest version of our app, as well as keep their mobile operating system up to date, to protect against potential targeted exploits designed to compromise information stored on mobile devices," the company said in a statement. 

The spyware was allegedly developed by the Israeli cyber intelligence company NSO Group. The vulnerability leveraged a bug in WhatsApp`s audio call feature, facilitating the installation of spyware on the device being called whether the call was answered or not. WhatsApp said it has fixed the vulnerability that was discovered last month.

The Israel-based NSO Group works for the government, looking to infect targets of investigations and gain access to various aspects of their devices. "The attack has all the hallmarks of a private company reportedly that works with governments to deliver spyware that takes over the functions of mobile phone operating systems," the WhatsApp statement read, without mentioning the NSO Group.

Meanwhile, the NSO group has told the Financial Times that under no circumstances it would be involved in the operating or identifying of targets of its technology, which is solely operated by intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The company said that it would not or could not use its technology in its own right to target any person or organisation.

According to WhatsApp, it suspects a relatively small number of users were targeted.