• UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
NewsExplored
  • UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • LinkedIn

  • Tumblr

  • RSS

Tech

WhatsApp fixes booby-trap video call bug

WhatsApp fixes booby-trap video call bug
Newsexplored
11th October 2018
ShareTweet
SubscribeRedditGoogleWhatsappStumbleuponPinterestDiggLinkedinTumblrTelegram
Views:
15
WhatsApp logoImage copyright Reuters
Image caption The bug made answering some video calls risky

Answering a booby-trapped video call via the WhatsApp messaging service could force the app to crash and close, a security expert has found.

The bug was a “big deal” said researcher Tavis Ormandy, who is part of the team that found it.

It was found in the messaging service’s apps used on Android and Apple smartphones.

The software loophole was discovered in late August and fixed in early October, said WhatsApp’s owner Facebook.

Natalie Silvanovich, a member of a team Google set up to hunt for vulnerabilities in widely-used software, discovered the WhatsApp weakness.

The problem exposed by Ms Silvanovich resides in the way the phone apps transport video. By changing packets of data used to do this, it was possible to make the app shut down, she discovered.

The web version of WhatsApp uses a different method for moving video, so is not vulnerable to this bug.

Facebook said it reacted “promptly” to fix the issue once it was identified.

“We routinely engage with security researchers from around the world to ensure WhatsApp remains safe and reliable,” it said.

It added that there was no evidence that the bug was widely known in the malicious hacking world or was exploited to attack WhatsApp users.

The messaging app is used by more than 1.2 billion people around the world.

data-ad-format="auto">

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Itemsboobyfixesvideowhatsapp
Tech
11th October 2018
Newsexplored @newsexploredweb

Related Itemsboobyfixesvideowhatsapp

More in Tech

  • Read More
    NHS e-health systems ‘risk patient safety’

    Views:15 Image copyright Getty Images Hospitals across England are using 21 separate electronic systems to record patient...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Sweden’s Ericsson to pay over $1bn to settle US corruption probe

    Views:15 Image copyright Reuters Image caption Ericsson is one of world’s biggest makers of mobile network equipment...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Labour pledges to electrify UK bus fleet

    Views:15 Image copyright Getty Images Labour plans to make the entire UK bus fleet electric by 2030...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Kashmir users kicked off WhatsApp

    Views:15 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Streets in Kashmir are mostly deserted since the lockdown came...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Heavy fine for Chinese firm over unlicensed game

    Views:15 Image caption A notice announcing the fine appeared on a Chinese government website A game launched...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Uber had 6,000 US sexual assault reports in two years

    Views:15 Image copyright Getty Images Uber said it received almost 6,000 reports of sexual assault in the...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Bug busters: The tech behind new vaccines

    Views:15 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The ebola vaccine was not ready in time for the...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Chinese residents worry about rise of facial recognition

    Views:15 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Some buses in Shanghai have had facial recognition systems fitted...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman switches to Google

    Views:15 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Mustafa Suleyman helped develop the controversial Streams health app Mustafa...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    HackerOne pays $20,000 bug bounty after ‘sloppy’ breach

    Views:15 Image copyright Getty Images A company which helps big businesses uncover security holes in their platforms...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Drones monitor south coast of England for migrant boats

    Views:15 Image copyright PA Media Image caption Hundreds of migrants have been intercepted by Border Force in...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
  • Read More
    Apple iPhone 11 Pro ‘can override location settings’

    Views:15 Image copyright Apple Image caption Apple’s much-vaunted user control is acknowledged by a security researcher, despite...

    Newsexplored 11th October 2018
Scroll for more
Tap
data-ad-format="auto">
NewsExplored

NewsExplored - Making sure all the latest news is explored?

Contact us for help

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • General election 2019: Kate Griffiths selected as Tory candidate
    UK13th November 2019
  • General election 2019: SNP to take legal action over ITV election debate
    UK13th November 2019
  • The art of hunting down stolen treasures
    Entertainment16th November 2019
  • London Bridge attack: Victim Jack Merritt had ‘lust for life’
    UK30th November 2019
  • Pensacola attack: US to review screening of foreign military
    USA8th December 2019
  • Art Basel: Maurizio Cattelan’s $120,000 banana eaten by artist
    USA8th December 2019
  • Trump impeachment: House Democrats make constitutional case
    USA8th December 2019
  • Pensacola shooting: Saudi students questioned after navy-base attack
    USA7th December 2019
  • Les Rehrer says:

    Hello Its me :P and thanks for this post

  • optumrx login says:

    Thank For News.

  • Kent Laatsch says:

    Please let me know if you're looking for a writer…

  • Bob says:

    RT News was where I learned that Erdogan controlled isis.…

Copyright © 2018 Top News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by Wordpress.

US weapons systems can be ‘easily hacked’
Microsoft tackles ‘horrifying’ Bing search results
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok