One of the most important messaging services worldwide, WhatsApp, has suffered a serious security breach. According to The Financial Times , attackers could install spyware just by making a call through the app. If you use it, update without fail.
WhatsApp as a gateway for spyware
Software updates are key as they help to increase performance, but above all to improve our security. When it comes to apps like WhatsApp even more. The new vulnerability, detected this May, allowed installing install spyware simply by making a call through the service.
Even without having to accept the call, this security flaw made it possible to infect all types of devices with the application installed, regardless of whether it was an Android or iOS terminal. In addition, the user would not realize that they have been affected as there is no data left in the call log.
At the moment, the number of possible affected is unknown. Although, everything seems to indicate that it would be more targeted attacks, against specific people and with relevant information, and not something massive. Mainly because of the execution cost that would be involved in taking it to a large scale. Even so, the mentality of "what are they going to see me, that's for more important people" should not be an excuse for not keeping our devices up to date on software issues.
Regarding those responsible, NSO Group has been in charge of developing the malicious code. An Israeli company already known for being the same one that made the application Pegasus, one of the most dangerous mobile hacking tools and used by governments and spy agencies.
This company, however, simply takes care of creating tools and offering them to those who pay for them. In theory they only allow certain clients, such as government agencies, to use them and veto abusers. But if it falls into the wrong hands, the truth is that little can be done, which is why the usual question arises: then why do they do it.
The importance of keeping your software up to date
WhatsApp has already released a software update that fixes the bug that allowed this attack. Therefore, if you use this messaging service it is very important that you update to the last version, 2.19.134 on Android and 2.19.51 on iOS.
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When it comes to keeping your applications and operating system always up to date, it is especially in cases like these. It is true that in computer security you are not always 100% sure, but putting everything on your side is important. For this reason, activating automatic updates or accepting them when notices pop up is something that we should all do.