According to security firm Check Point, a bug in WhatsApp can put almost 200 million of its users at risk. The bug lets hackers dispense malware, together with ransom- ware; which means the victim has to pay cash to get their data back. However, the bug only affects the web-version of the messaging service.
WhatsApp was informed about the problem in the end of the last month. Check Point also urged the users to update their WhatsApp software right away to take benefit of the fix. According to the stats released by the security firm, there are currently over 200 million active users of the web version in comparison to the 900 million users of the app. Check Point said that the bug sprang up due to the way WhatsApp handles contacts via vCard (virtual card).
A hacker only had to send a legitimate looking virtual business card to the targets mobile number. Once the card would be opened, it could disperse the malicious code. Mark James, a specialist at security firm ESET said, "Bearing in mind that WhatsApp is a cross-platform mobile messaging app, the chances of you opening a vCard sent to you are quite high. Once opened, it could attempt to download and infect your system with ransom-ware."
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