Facebook messaging service WhatsApp is very popular. In January, it was the most popular messaging app on the planet, with more than 600 millions active users, and by April it reached 800 million active users.
Of course, the little app that Facebook has paid a ton of money to acquire has occasionally had minor issues in protection of the private life.
WhatsApp's latest flaw allows every one of its 800 million active accounts to be hacked without the need for the Password.
The technical knowledge required: about zero.
Basically, all you need to do is know the target phone number and be able to access their phone - even if it is locked - for a few seconds.
It does not matter if the victim has locked the screen in his phone as it will not prevent the malicious user from answering the authentication call and changing the secret PIN needed to access the Whatsapp account.
The Chippers News notes that this is much easier on an iPhone that has its personal assistant Siri enabled on the lock screen, since Siri can be persuaded to reveal any contact information or notifications, "giving virtually everyone access to their phone number." without needing the security PIN. "
I contacted Facebook to see if she had any comments about it and will update the story if someone gets back to me.
This vulnerability is a very good reminder not to leave your devices exposed!
And if you have an iPhone, immediately disable Siri on the lock screen.
