14 DAY TRIAL // If there’s anyone still running Windows 10 Mobile, they should update to the latest version of WhatsApp as soon as possible, as an emergency security patch has just been released.
Earlier this week, it was discovered that a security vulnerability in WhatsApp allowed malicious actors to spy on users using nothing more than a voice call.
Technically, because of the flaw, hackers were able to access sensitive data with a highly-complex exploit triggered with a WhatsApp call, with targets not even required to answer in order for their devices to be compromised.
Attackers were capable of accessing any data stored on the device and collecting further details like the location of the device.
WhatsApp rolled out security updates for Android and iOS on Monday after previously working around the clock to develop a patch, and now the same fix is available on Windows 10 Mobile too.
Windows 10 Mobile going dark too
Despite being in its final days, Windows 10 Mobile still gets its very own version of WhatsApp, so a patch for users who haven’t yet migrated to Android or iOS was necessary to stay protected against such attacks.
As per HTNovo, today’s update for WhatsApp brings the app to version 2.18.348, so you need to make sure you install this release because otherwise you’re vulnerable to attacks.
Needless to say, the impact such a vulnerability has on Windows 10 Mobile is very low, not necessarily because the platform itself comes with improved protections over other mobile operating system, but because of the small number of users still using Windows phones.
With a 0 percent market share, Windows 10 Mobile is projected to be retired in December when Microsoft will stop rolling out security updates for the platform, at which point all users will be recommended to switch to Android or iOS for continued support and app updates.