Last Updated:
WhatsApp spyware risk has got the Indian government worried and the new alert concerns iPhone and Mac users.
Indian govt has issued an alert for WhatsApp iPhone users
The Indian government has notified iPhone and Mac users over a major WhatsApp spyware vulnerability that has the power to bypass device authorisation to access data and more. WhatsApp has notified many users about the spyware threat, which is linked to advanced and extremely sophisticated attacks.
The latest hacking risk is a problem for millions of iPhone and Mac users in the country and other parts of the world. The alert from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team or CERT-In shares the details of the threat and how people can be affected.
WhatsApp Spyware Risk: What The Govt Says
The latest CERT-In alert comes with a high-severity rating but it would be hard to ignore the seriousness of the attacks, especially when it can happen remotely. “This vulnerability exists in WhatsApp due to improper authorization handling in linked device synchronization messages. An attacker could exploit this flaw to trigger processing of content from an arbitrary URL on a victim’s device,” the agency explains the root cause.
Unlike malware that needs a source for infiltration, these advanced spyware just need the person to click on a message or even just receive them on the device to get the spyware bypassing their security and triggered when you start using the phone.
Spyware like Pegasus have become the new hub for cyber warfare, especially on a platform that is used by billions daily and helps them send messages, images, or even make video calls.
Anybody using WhatsApp on iOS and macOS devices are the targets for these attacks but hackers generally have specific individuals on their radar.
These are the WhatsApp iOS and macOS versions that face the spyware risk:
- WhatsApp for iOS version prior to 2.25.21.73
- WhatsApp Business for iOS version 2.25.21.78
- WhatsApp for Mac version 2.25.21.78
WhatsApp has issued its own security advisory and asks iOS and macOS users to immediately update the messaging app version on their devices. You can also do it by:
- Go to App Store
- Search for WhatsApp
- Look for new update and install for the device
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr…Read More
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr… Read More
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
Read More
