WhatsApp breach: Here's what you need to do right now to shield yourself from the security threat WhatsApp has admitted to

WhatsApp mitted a major cybersecurity breach that has enabled targeted spyware to be installed on phones through voice calls.  security vulnerability affects both iPhone and Android devices, with malicious code (allegedly) from Israel's NSO Group, transmitted wher or not a user answers an infected call.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

spyware was developed by Israeli cyber intelligence company NSO Group which first reported vulnerability.

Attackers could transmit malicious code to a target’s device by calling user and infecting call wher or not recipient answered call. Logs of incoming calls were often erased, according to report.

WhatsApp said that vulnerability was discovered this month, and that company quickly dressed problem within its own infrastructure. An update to App was published on Monday, and company is encouraging users to upgre out of an abundance of caution.

Meanwhile, company has also alerted US law enforcement to exploit, and published a “CVE notice”, an visory to or cybersecurity experts alerting m to “common vulnerabilities and exposures”.

WHAT TO DO NEXT?

WhatsApp is encouraging users to update to latest version of app after discovering a vulnerability that allowed spyware to be injected into a user’s phone through app’s phone call function.

Giving out a statement, company vised:

“WhatsApp encourages people to upgre to latest version of our app, as well as keep ir mobile operating system up to date, to protect against potential targeted exploits designed to compromise information stored on mobile devices".

Re: WhatsApp Calls Turn Risky As Highly-vanced Spyware Remotely Infects Mobile Phones

WhatsApp has about 1.5 bn users around world. Facebook has suffered a multitude of security and privacy breaches in last year, but this news that a government-gre intelligence collection application h targeted company's WhatsApp application is different. WhatsApp is Facebook's flagship messaging application and is lauded for its end-to-end encryption, both for messaging and voice calls. As a result, it has become a standard communications platform for government and security officials in many countries around world.

(With inputs from agencies)