WhatsApp hack: have I been affected and what should I do?

[turbinetree]

Users are being urged to update their WhatsApp smartphone apps immediately because of a security bug that allows hackers to take over your phone by simply calling it, whether or not you answer.
What has happened?

A vulnerability in the popular Facebook-owned messaging service has been discovered that allowed hackers to install spyware through an infected WhatsApp voice call.

The spyware is capable of trawling through calls, texts and other data, activating the phone’s camera and microphone and performing other malicious activities.

All brands of phones with WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business installed are affected, including Apple’s iPhone (iOS), Android phones, Windows Phones and Tizen devices, according to Facebook. WhatsApp is used by 1.5 billion people globally.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/14/whatsapp-hack-have-i-been-affected-and-what-should-i-do

Another Facebook organization........................I am so glad I am not registered with this system................or Facebook for that matter......................

[msongs]

1. never use the apps, if u must, go through the browser to log in and out nt

[turbinetree]

2. Thanks for the information, I will pass it on..........................

[PoliticAverse]

3. Big brother doesn't need to put cameras everywhere - people will bring their own. n/t

Last edited Sat May 18, 2019, 01:48 AM - Edit history (1)

[Renew Deal]

4. You use your phone in the bathroom too much

Just kidding. It almost certainly doesn't affect you.

[VarryOn]

5. I had a Facebook account for nine years...

but deleted my account in December. I had done the download of the data FB had on me, and I couldnt believe how much they had. While I basically had voluntarily given it to them over the years, they apparently never delete anything! The file was huge. And God only knows how much data they didnt give me in the download.

I listen frequently listen to a privacy and security podcast. The host of that podcast says the FB is perhaps the most invasive app you can put on your phone. It can take pictures and video, record audio, add and delete contacts, read your texts, read your calendar, know where you are at all times, overrule other apps, and on amd on. Essentially, it takes control over your phone (which you permit via the terms of service) and everything on it. As an example, I frequently received friend suggestions from FB people who called my cell for work. I frequently get potential customers calling. I started noticing that soon after one of them would call me, they would show up as suggested friends. I started researching how that happened and learned FB would use the incoming phone number to see if it was associated with an existing FB account. If it was, they would make the friend suggestion.

And if we think FB is bad, we'd probably find out that Google is even worse! If you use the Chrome browser (which they own), there's probably a record of any website you've ever looked at.

I really havent missed having FB. With the 2020 election upcoming, I certainly wont miss being constantly pissed at or disappointed in certain friends!

[customerserviceguy]

6. Social media

is a 21st Century form of enslavement.