WhatsApp Bug

A WhatsApp bug allows hackers to distribute malware, including ransomware, which demands victims to pay a fee to regain access to their files.

17:19 09 September 2015

A WhatsApp bug, which could affect up to 200 million users, allows hackers to distribute malware and affect only the web-based version of the service.

 

WhatsApp has been informed about the problem and has immediately issued a patch. It urged users to update their WhatsApp software immediately to take advantage of the fix.

 

Hackers use the bug by sending virtual business cards that looked legitimate to their target’s mobile number. The vCard could distribute malicious code once opened.  

 

"Bearing in mind that WhatsApp is a cross-platform mobile messaging app, the chances of you opening a vCard sent to you is quite high," commented Mark James, a specialist at security firm ESET.

 

"Once opened it could attempt to download and infect your system with ransomware."