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Tech

The One App You Should Delete Right Now To Keep Your iPhone From Getting Hacked, According To A Security Expert

March 14, 2020 by Lisa Cupido
shefinds | Tech
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Few apps are perfect — but some apps can be downright flawed when it comes to taking the proper security measures to protect your privacy.

At the top of many tech experts’ lists of least protected apps you might be surprised to find a few very popular social media apps — including one that is widely used in a number of countries.

This is the one app you should delete right now to keep your iPhone from getting hacked, according to a security expert.

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Last year, the software developers of the super-popular social media app WhatsApp admitted there was a security flaw in the app that could allow hackers to read messages after sending a malicious video file opened by users.


According to The Independent: “The Facebook-owned messaging app posted a security advisory about the bug, named CVE-2019-11931, which affects earlier versions of the app on both Android and iOS devices.”

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WhatsApp also admitted that many activists and journalists had been targeted with spyware and that around 1,400 WhatsApp users received emails from the app advising that they upgrade to the latest version of WhatsApp to prevent malware from being installed on their devices.

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The hack threat from WhatsApp affected Google Android, Apple iOS, and Microsoft Windows, according to The Hacker News. And ensuring that your device’s software is completely up to date is extremely important:


According to an advisory published by Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, the list of affected app versions are as follows:

Android versions before 2.19.274
iOS versions before 2.19.100
Enterprise Client versions before 2.25.3
Windows Phone versions before and including 2.18.368
Business for Android versions before 2.19.104
Business for iOS versions before 2.19.100

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You can delete WhatsApp, but doing so isn’t necessarily going to prevent future hacks from other apps. The best thing to remember, across the board and with all apps, is to NEVER click on links that are sent to you from unknown origins.

Author:

Lisa Fogarty is a lifestyle writer and reporter based in New York who covers health, wellness, relationships, sex, beauty, and parenting.

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Person holding Android phone displaying various apps.
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Sony WH-CH720N headphones with iPad and laptop.
User interacting with an iPhone device.
iPhone displaying a selection of apps.
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Individual holding an iPhone in hand.
iPhone home screen displaying popular applications.
iPhone 17 on table with modern aesthetics.
Woman using laptop while relaxing at home.
Smartphone connected to charger on a desk.
Various iPhone apps displayed on a smartphone screen.
Close-up of male hands holding an Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
User interacting with an iPhone in a casual setting.
Close-up of a hand holding an iPhone with visible apps.
Woman texting on a smartphone outdoors.
Android phone displaying various applications on screen.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 smartphone in a stylish setting.
Woman in jeans enjoying a fresh summer watermelon salad.
Person holding Android phone displaying various apps.
iPhone 14 showcasing multiple applications on screen.
iPhone screen showing charging settings menu.
Sony WH-CH720N headphones with iPad and laptop.
User interacting with an iPhone device.
iPhone displaying a selection of apps.
Notification of iPhone storage being full.
Individual holding an iPhone in hand.
iPhone home screen displaying popular applications.