WhatsApp

Be Smart With Your vCard

September 19, 2015 — Leave a comment

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The WhatsApp Web application had a nice promotion and a relatively short virtual existence, before it has experienced a malware-related trouble. It seems that the invaluable vCard feature can be a source of great trouble for millions of users of this extremely popular app.

Why? Well, the hackers have found a way to install both malware and ransomware in a tiny vCard file. To make the things even worse for WhatsApp users these malicious visitors do not have to ask your permission, when it comes to installation in your device.

The good news is that WhatsApp team was prompt in its response, and you can rest assured that this security flaw is already being fixed. On the other side, our hats off to the busy little bees, who have located and identified this cyber-trouble. We sure hope, they will get something in return.

From what we know, WhatsApp has not been involved in bug bounty reward systems, so far. Yet, its new owner Facebook is always interested for security improvements, and notably very generous in this field. Therefore, the Check Point team could get a reward for its efforts. Right?

Permissions = Troubles

January 17, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Here is how the absolute majority of all cyber troubles begins for us. We like to install new apps. We hate to check a permissions list. You either do not have time or nerves to do it for each app you are about to install. Some busy little bees have done us a huge favor. Check out the infographic we included in this post.

Does this ring a bell? As you can see, it is not such a big deal, if an antivirus app asks for dozens of permissions. We can see a reason in that. In order to work properly an antivirus software needs to move freely inside your smartphone. Right? It would be crazy to deny or limit the full access for this app.

However, we are really having some difficulties in understanding why some of the most popular social network apps demand the wide scope of authorizations. For example, you have Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber, or Skype, which literally breathe down the neck of any antivirus app in the number of required permissions.

As always, it all comes down to you and your choices you have to make, this way or another, sooner or later. If a certain app asks too many and quite unusual permissions, then you have to ask yourself for a moment, do you really need this app, in the first place. Too many permissions. Not enough privacy.

What’s Up WhatsApp?

January 13, 2015 — Leave a comment

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If you see something like this on your smartphone’s screen in English, or some other more suitable language for the users in your own country, then you should think twice about your next most likely action. Why? For the time being, we have not heard a thing about the most recent WhatsApp update.

This is a simple and very costly Internet scam. Even if there is such a thing as the WhatsApp, its notification will certainly will not include these eye-catching and warning colors, including the payment option for it. Therefore, the best things online are still free. In most of the cases, more or less.

How come there quite a few WhatsApp users, who allow themselves a luxury to become victims of these humiliating Internet fraud schemes? Well, for hackers the business is as usual. Their most trusted ally and most profitable partner in crime is undoubtedly is our reckless and irrational behavior.

So, we sure hope that the next time when you ask your WhatsApp what is up, you will not get a notification such as this one. Can we blame the WhatsApp or your Internet provider for all the trouble? No, in this case, no. This is something you should ignore from the very first moment. WhatsApp something else.