WhatsApp, with its end to end encryption security feature trusted by 1.5 billion users around the world, witnessed a high-profile hacking into Jeff Bezos’ phone, allegedly by the equally high-profile Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman! While we are all vulnerable to privacy invasions online, High Net Worth Individuals like Bezos are even more susceptible.
Even though end-to-end encrypted messaging apps are one of the most effective ways to protect the content of messages, nothing is fool proof. It is stated that a video file with malicious content was used for this particular case data siphoning from the Amazon boss.
Here are a few suggestions that can help bolster your security.
- Default setting in WhatsApp to download the video file automatically may allow malicious malware hidden inside the video to install itself and give hackers access to your data. The easy remedy is to opt -out of this feature.
- Do not open random links sent by the unknown address. They may be carefully crafted malicious links, designed to steal your data.
- Keep your phones and systems updated. Updates contain security patches to fix vulnerabilities as soon as they are discovered.
- Be mindful of the information that is shared online.
- Use reliable anti-virus application to protect phones and systems.