Hackers Have Corrupted WhatsApp for Surveillance Purposes
WhatsApp has begun urging its users to download the latest version of the software after finding spyware within the app. The company was recently targeted by Israeli’s NSO Group, which installed Pegasus, a malware that is often sold to intelligence agencies for audio, video, and SMS surveillance.
According to Newsweek, the NSO Group claims its spy tools are used for combating crime and terror, despite being linked to the surveillance of human rights groups in the past.
The spyware has been found on both Android and iOS versions of WhatsApp, after confirming the spyware was spread through a voice call. This is alarming, as the call didn’t have to be answered to successfully corrupt the app.
The total number of WhatApp users impacted by Pegasus is unclear. However, the company did push out a patch last week to address the security gap that the NSO Group exploited to corrupt the app. To access the update, Android users need to go to the Play Store, and tap the “Update” button that appears next to the WhatsApp logo. On Apple devices, users will complete the same process but will need to access it via the App Store.
In addition to updating the app to the latest version, users are also encouraged to keep their mobile device’s operating systems updated with the latest versions as well.
