You really need to update WhatsApp now

WhatsApp is the world’s most popular chat app, making it a perfect playground for spreading misinformation and lies. You might spend time begging your relative not to believe everything you read in his WhatsApp thread, but it often doesn’t help.However, we finally have some WhatsApp news teeth worth Spread as wide as possible: WhatsApp needs to be updated now. Please tell your parents.

What issues did WhatsApp fix?

Unlike our usual security update posts, no new version of WhatsApp is out today. Instead, WhatsApp reveals two critical security vulnerabilities It is affecting older versions of the app on both iOS and Android. If you haven’t updated your WhatsApp app recently, your security is at risk.

Both issues highlighted by WhatsApp are “integer overflow” vulnerabilities, where programs Attempts to move a value into a space that is not large enough to hold itMalicious attackers can exploit this flaw by bypassing security checks and verifying that certain values ​​meet certain thresholds. With these security walls down, these bad guys can: Install and run your own code on your smartphone Known as “remote code execution”.

The first vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-36934, allows malicious individuals to remotely execute code through a simple video call. Just answering the phone can infect your phone. The second vulnerability, CVE-2022-27492, could allow remote code execution via a malicious video file.

The ease with which hackers can exploit these security vulnerabilities makes them especially serious. There is very little that users need to do to put themselves at risk, so patching the app as soon as possible is a top priority.

Which version of WhatsApp is safe?

According to WhatsApp, the more severe CVE-2022-36934 flaw affects WhatsApp for iOS, WhatsApp for Android, WhatsApp Business for iOS, and WhatsApp Business for Android prior to version 2.22.16.12. CVE-2022-27492 does not actually threaten WhatsApp Business and only affects WhatsApp for iOS prior to version 2.22.15.9 and WhatsApp for Android prior to version 2.22.16.2.

WhatsApp for Android and WhatsApp Business for Android are currently at version 2.22.19.76 and WhatsApp for iOS and WhatsApp Business for iOS are at version 2.22.19.78. So if you’ve updated your app in the past month or so, it’s safe. But just in case, you should check for updates now.

These vulnerabilities are especially pressing for users who don’t update their WhatsApp app frequently (or at all). We all know someone who neglects to update (perhaps you are one of them). Not having access to the latest features? No problem. Exposure to security vulnerabilities is a problem.

Before anyone cringes this news as another WhatsApp rumor or misinformation stunt, I repeat that it is not. we have it covered. The Verge has you coveredWhen WhatsApp itself announced a security updateIn the meantime, remind parents not to answer weird video calls or open unknown files (such as videos).

How to update WhatsApp on iPhone and Android

Luckily, updating your WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app on any smartphone is easy.

On Android, go to the Play Store, tap your profile icon, then tap App and device managementLook for WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business and if available[更新]Tap. If “Enable automatic updates” is turned on, Android may have already updated WhatsApp.

Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap your profile icon. Pull down the page to refresh and check the App Updates list to see if WhatsApp is available. In that case, tap “Update”.Again, if “App Updates” is turned on under “Automatic Downloads” Settings > App Storethe iPhone itself may be updating WhatsApp.