As reported by TechAdvisor, WhatsApp says it has fixed an issue that meant some users’ phone numbers were showing up unintended in Google search results. Researcher Athul Jayaram posted about the flaw on 7 June, saying “his privacy issue in the WhatsApp web portal that leaked around 29000–300000 WhatsApp user’s mobile numbers in plaintext accessible to any internet user”.

This was down to the behaviour of WhatsApp’s Click to Chat feature where users can start conversations with people using a phone number but without saving the phone number in their contacts. It creates a link via which you can open a new chat. Jayaram found that it was possible to expose phone numbers from Click to Chat by running a search for “site:wa.me”.

June 10, 2020

Jake Moore

+ Follow Me - UnFollow Me

Cybersecurity Specialist

ESET

WhatsApp is an easy-to-use communicating platform, but it doesn’t have privacy at the heart of the app. Although this flaw has been patched, it highlights the lack of privacy and protection of its users. Bad actors are very clever at using minimal information to target their victims. With just a simple phone number and a link to a chat group, there’s a chance the victim could be manipulated into a targeted smishing attack where they are coerced into offering over more personal details,.....Read More

WhatsApp is an easy-to-use communicating platform, but it doesn’t have privacy at the heart of the app. Although this flaw has been patched, it highlights the lack of privacy and protection of its users. Bad actors are very clever at using minimal information to target their victims. With just a simple phone number and a link to a chat group, there’s a chance the victim could be manipulated into a targeted smishing attack where they are coerced into offering over more personal details, such as bank account details. It should never be underestimated what scam artists can do with the simplest of information and so it is best to keep your apps up to date and always stay alert to any form of scam.  Read Less

Like(1)  (0)

×

Linkedin Message

@Jake Moore, Cybersecurity Specialist, provides expert commentary at @Information Security Buzz.
"Bad actors are very clever at using minimal information to target their victims. ..."
#infosec #cybersecurity #isdots
https://informationsecuritybuzz.com/expert-comments/experts-reaction-on-whatsapp-fixes-issue-that-showed-phone-numbers-in-google-searches

Copy this message and share on your Linkedin profile. Thanks! COPY

×

Facebook Message

@Jake Moore, Cybersecurity Specialist, provides expert commentary at @Information Security Buzz.
"Bad actors are very clever at using minimal information to target their victims. ..."
#infosec #cybersecurity #isdots
https://informationsecuritybuzz.com/expert-comments/experts-reaction-on-whatsapp-fixes-issue-that-showed-phone-numbers-in-google-searches

Copy this message and share on your Facebook profile. Thanks! COPY

Please login to comment.

Submit Your Expert Comments

What do you think of the topic? Do you agree with expert(s) or share your expert opinion below.
Be part of our growing Information Security Expert Community (1000+), please register here.

Write Your Expert Comments *

Your Registered Email *

Notification Email (If different from your registered email)

* By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this web site.

SUBMIT

Thank you, your expert comments have been submitted for review.

×

Upload Content

Youtube Link  

Image  

---

Youtube Link (Ex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUxUUarTRW4 )

Add

Uploading the content. Please wait....

Submit

×