Israeli It security firm Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: CHKP) has issued an alert after identifying a bug in messaging service WhatsApp. Check Point warned that the bug put WhatsApp's 200 million users at risk.
Check Point said that the security breach allows hackers to distribute malware, including ransomware, which demands victims pay a fee to regain access to their files. The flaw affects only the web-based version of the service.
Check Point told Facebook unit WhatsApp about the problem on August 21 and the company issued a patch a week later. Check Point urges users to update their WhatsApp software to take advantage of the fix.
According to Check Point, the vulnerability was caused by the way WhatsApp's web app handles contacts sent in the vCard (virtual card) format. This means that a hacker can send a legitimate looking virtual business card if they know their target's mobile number. Once opened the vCard can distribute malicious codes.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 9, 2015
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