• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
TechEngage

TechEngage

Technology news and opinions

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
  • How-to
  • Roundups
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Culture
    • Blockchain
      • Cryptocurrency
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
  • Login
TechEngage » News » Security

Hackers can use a WhatsApp video call to hack your phone

Avatar Of Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad Abdullah October 10, 2018

whatsapp hacked vulnerable
Imagine receiving a video call on WhatsApp that lets someone else access your phone? Scary, right?

WhatsApp vulnerability lets Hackers take over your WhatsApp account and phone.

Imagine receiving a video call on WhatsApp that lets someone else access your phone? Scary, right?
You may be thinking that it only happens in the movies, but a Google Project Zero security researcher “Natalie Silvanovich” found out a vulnerability in WhatsApp that allows hackers to control your WhatsApp just by video calling.
Natalie also published the proof along with the instructions to reproduce the WhatsApp attack.
The vulnerability is a memory heap overflow issue which only gets triggered when a user receives a specially created malformed RTP packet via a video call on WhatsApp. Receiving that call results in crashing the messaging app and corruption error.
WhatsApp web is not affected by this vulnerability as it relies on WebRTC instead of RTC. However, because of the vulnerability in RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) implementation of WhatsApp, the flaw affects WhatsApp on Android and iOS along with other apps on both platforms.
Although this vulnerability only allows triggering memory corruption, another Google Project Zero researcher claims that just answering a call from an attacker could completely compromise WhatsApp. He says, “it’s a big deal”.
In short, hackers only need your phone number to completely take control of your WhatsApp account and spy on your conversations.
Natalie discovered and reported this vulnerability to WhatsApp team in August this year, and the company rolled out the update with patches on September 28th to Android devices and to iPhone users on October 3.
Researchers also discovered a flaw that lets hackers modify the content of messages sent in both private and group chats. The flaw allowed them to intercept in the way when WhatsApp mobile app connects with the WhatsApp web.

How to save yourself from WhatsApp hack?

Well, you don’t have to worry about it if you’ve recently updated WhatsApp. If you haven’t updated your WhatsApp either on Android or iOS, you should worry about upgrading now. Also, turn ON two-factor authentication from account settings.
Let us know what do you think about this NEWS in the comments section below!
Also, spread the NEWS to save others from this vulnerability.

Related Tags: Google Project Zero hacking WhatsApp

Related Stories

  • Twitter Shares Quarterly Earnings And Loss In Active Users

    Twitter shares quarterly earnings and loss in active users

  • Instagram Finally Removes “Following” Tab In The Latest Update

    Instagram finally removes “Following” tab in the latest update

  • Facebook Is Paying Users To Install Invasive “Research” App

    Facebook is paying users to install invasive “Research” app

Avatar Of Muhammad Abdullah

Muhammad Abdullah

Former Editor-in-chief

I graduated in computer science from university. Sharing has always been my strong suit; hence I started sharing through writing about technology. I began by sharing news, guides, and tips on my blog and later covered various topics that interest me on different websites. Apart from being a tech geek, I have a deep interest in Marvel, DC movies, and other movies+shows in general. I recently became a cat person and had been keeping fish for years. NOT a fan of coffee! This is all you need to know about me.

Reader Interactions

Discussion

  1. Avatar Of AbidAbid says

    October 10, 2018

    wow good

    Reply

Join The Discussion: Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or publish anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more click here.
TechEngage-Apple-News
TechEngage-Google-News

Recent Stories

  • How to Watch Nvidia, Microsoft, and AMD’s Computex 2022 keynotes
  • YouTube Music App Now Lets You Play the Music on Wear OS
  • Netflix’s Long-term Subscribers are Canceling the Netflix Subscription
  • Google Announces New Features of Google Maps at Google I/O
  • Apple Releases iOS 15.5 Ahead of Annual Developer Conference
Best work from home apps

8 best work from home apps 2022

top background apps

Best Wallpaper Apps Android 2022

A photo of a person using iOS on iPhone X

Essential Guide to iOS

How to cool down an overheating laptop?

Footer

Discover

  • About us
  • Newsroom
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Brand Kit
  • Contact us

Legal pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy and Practice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Must reads

  • Best AirPods alternatives on Amazon
  • Best PC monitors for gaming on Amazon
  • Best family board games
  • Best Graphics Cards (GPUs) for gaming
  • Best video doorbells without subscription
  • Best handheld video game consoles
  • Best all-season tires for snow
  • Best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Best treadmills on Amazon
  • Best AM radios for long-distance reception

Download our apps

TechEngage-app-google-play-store

Copyright © 2022 · All Rights Reserved · TechEngage® is a Project of TechAbout LLC.
TechEngage® is a registered trademark in United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167 and is ISSN protected under the ISSN 2690-3776 and OCLC Number 1139335774.

Go to mobile version