Tag: WhatsApp

Whatsapp Fixes Major Mp4 Security Vulnerability

WhatsApp has fixed a critical security flaw in the Android and iOS version of its app, which could give hackers access to messages and files stored on a vulnerable device using a specially-crafted MP4 file. WhatsApp confirmed that along with the consumer versions of its app, the issue affects the Enterprise client versions of its app, as well as Business for Android and Business for iOS versions of WhatsApp.

While reports suggest that the vulnerability hasn’t been exploited so far, as there are no signs of attacks happening in the wild. That said, WhatsApp warns that a successful attack would have led to a denial of service or remote code execution.

“A stack-based buffer overflow could be triggered in WhatsApp by sending a specially crafted MP4 file to a WhatsApp user. The issue was present in parsing the elementary stream metadata of an MP4 file and could result in a DoS or RCE. This affects Android versions prior to 2.19.274, iOS versions prior to 2.19.100, Enterprise Client versions prior to 2.25.3, Business for Android versions prior to 2.19.104 and Business for iOS versions prior to 2.19.100,” CVE-2019-11931 reads.

Readers are advised to update to the latest version of WhatsApp to keep themselves protected against this vulnerability.

Facebook-owned WhatsApp is currently the most popular messaging app on both iOS and Android. According to sources, the service currently has over 1.5 billion active users on all supported platforms.

The news comes shortly after WhatsApp confirmed that spyware developed by NSO Group was used to target 1400 selected users globally and in India, which included human rights activists and journalists. That said, there’s no indication that the MP4 flaw was used in similar attacks. Besides, the Indian government clearly denied that it purchased or used the spyware in question to target its citizens.

November 18, 2019
Facebook plans to rename Instagram and WhatsApp

Both WhatsApp and Instagram are essentially household names around the world. With such popularity, one would assume that renaming both these brands would be simply pointless and downright crazy. Though, it appears that’s exactly what Facebook has in mind.

The company confirmed on Friday about it plans to rename WhatsApp and Instagram. Facebook essentially plans to add its own name to these apps. Hence, from now on, WhatsApp will be known as ‘WhatsApp from Facebook’ and similarly, Instagram will be called ‘Instagram from Facebook’.

The whole point behind the name change is that Facebook wants people to know who’s the boss, as it owns both Instrgram and WhatsApp. Sources indicate that the new name will be displayed only on the app stgore pages on both iOS and Android. The name change will also be visible on the login pages.

“We want to be clearer about the products and services that are part of Facebook”. said Facebook.

To recall, Facebook bought Instagram back in 2012 followed by WhatsApp in 2014.Since then, Facebook has allowed to them function as seperate entities, with their own namagers, employees, and different work places.

In the past few years, even Facebook has acquired a lot of features from Instagram For instance, Intagram. stories, a feature inspired by Snpachat, was added to WhatsApp as Status and on Facebook as stories. However, Facebook has also been slammed over data privacy and security concerns over the past few years. For now, Instagram and WhatsApp are not affected by these privacy issues, and we hope it stays the same.

August 3, 2019
WhatsApp working on fingerprint authentication feature for Android

Facebook-owned instant messaging app WhatsApp is reportedly working on a fingerprint authentication feature for chats on Android. The feature is essentially designed to protect users’ chats from being seen by others. Once the authentication is enabled, users will be required to use their fingerprint to access chats.

“After working to implement Face ID and Touch ID features on iOS (that aren’t available yet for development reasons), WhatsApp has finally started to work on the Authentication feature on Android, using your Fingerprint!” said a report by WABetaInfo.

Once the fingerprint feature is activated, your chats will be completely secure from others. The fingerprint authentication feature on WhatsApp can be found under Settings>Account>Privacy.

Image Source: WABetaInfo

“The user will need to authenticate his identity in order to open WhatsApp (from the app icon, from the notification or from external pickers). It will protect the entire app, so it’s not used to lock specific conversations,” further added the report.

The feature is expected to arrive for both Android and iOS users in the near future. In other related news, WhatsApp has also started working on several new features for iOS. Sources indicate that the update would allow users to add stickers in images. Besides, the upcoming update should allow iPhone users to edit a sent image by adding a drawing or emoji.

January 9, 2019
WhatsApp starts testing new features for iOS

Popular IM app WhatsApp has reportedly started testing several new features for iOS. A recent beta build of the app gives us an idea of what new features are arriving for iPhones.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, these new features and improvements are a part of beta build 2.19.10.21. The build includes a new feature that allows users to add stickers in images, further adds the report.

The upcoming WhatsApp update should allow iPhone users to edit a sent image by adding a drawing or emoji. Besides, starting with this update, sticker support will arrive on iOS for additional customization options.

Another handy addtion is the private reply option in group chats, somethig similar we’ve seen in Android beta builds of the app. With this functionality, users can tap on a messsage from a particluar contact in a group and then choose to reply privately. A private chat window pops up and the message you chose is highlighted so users know from where the conversation started.

The upcoming WhatsApp update will also bring improved 3D Touch support for iPhones, making it possible for users to peek and pop messages in the Status section.

That said, there’s np specifc timeline as to when the update will be available for everyone. However, given that beta testing has already begun, it’s safe to assume that it wouldn’t take too long before the rollout begins.

January 7, 2019
Apple ousts WhatsApp stickers from the AppStore

Apple has reportedly decided to remove all WhatsApp stickers from its App Store. Not because they’re competeing with its own iMessage platform, but because Apple thinks they’re apparently violating certain AppStore gudelines.

Apple has not one, but three reasons as to why they’re violating its AppStore guidelines. First, Apple beleives there are too many apps that exhibit the same behaviour. Now, this essentially implies that there are far too many stickers available for download, which Apple thinks isn’t a good thing.

Secondly, Apple thinks WhatsApp need to be installed in order to download these stickers. And the company doesn’t allow apps that need other apps to perform downloads.

Finally, Apple thinks the design of these stickers are too similar as they lack enough creativity. As a result of this move, WhatsApp stickers can no longer be downloaded on your iPhone.

WhatsApp hasn’t yet issued an official statement on how it plans to deal with this restriction. However, it appears the platform could rectify this issue is by building a dedicated store for stickers, something like what Facebook offers for Messenger users.

It’s also worth noting that at this point, Google hasn’t laid down any such restrictions for stickers on its PlayStore.

November 19, 2018