[ad_1]
With end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp is considered a very secure email service. Even WhatsApp and the parent company Facebook can only access the contents of sent text messages. But with the files sent (photos, videos, PDF files, etc.), things look different, at least for Android smartphones.
>>> Read: Warning: the Android virus disguises as WhatsApp
Not stored directly in the WhatsApp app
Security experts at Symantec have discovered a vulnerability that can intercept or manipulate files sent via WhatsApp. Although encrypted text messages are stored directly in WhatsApp, the sent files are stored in an external folder. So, they are no longer in the application (encrypted), but on the smartphone. This is a common practice used by many Android app providers. This is the only way to facilitate file sharing with other applications and programs.
>>> Read: WhatsApp: erase trick badures a brutal awakening
Malware can exploit the interface
However, according to experts at Symantec, attackers can safely introduce malware into the interface between WhatsApp and the external folder. There, files such as photos, videos, audio files or PDF could be intercepted and even manipulated. This attack scenario works on Android smartphones from the sender and the recipient. Thus, a file can be intercepted even in the worst case even before sending and modified. For important documents, this could cause immense damage.
>>> Read: WhatsApp camera has a night mode
conclusion
There is currently no solution to the problem in sight. Google recommends that app providers leave the Android settings as is. The attack scenario also seems to be quite elaborate. After all, the hacker must first bring a malicious program to the desired smartphone. But if it succeeds, it can access WhatsApp files relatively easily.
>>> Read: WhatsApp forbids mbad messages
[ad_2]
Source link
