Suppose your company uses the popular messaging platform WhatsApp for Windows. In that case, you need to be aware of a potentially critical security flaw that puts your company at risk for a disruptive and costly breach.
Users discovered the flaw in June 2024. It allows certain risky file types to run natively on the app. In other words, if the user opens these file types on either the mobile or desktop app, WhatsApp will automatically execute them—even if they contain malware. Other risky file types only run if the user downloads them to the device’s hard drive first.
WhatsApp and Python
Most WhatsApp users aren’t in danger because the vulnerability is only a threat if you have Python on your machine. This is good news, considering that WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, has no plans to address the vulnerability, burdening users to protect themselves from malware. Since most people don’t use Python, it also means that power users, researchers, and developers are at risk.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take steps to protect your company, though. Meta's shifting responsibility for addressing the threat back to WhatsApp users underscores the need for you to take cyber security seriously and review your protocols to prevent a disruptive incident.
Protecting Your Business From Cyber Threats
Even if no one within your organization uses Python, if you use WhatsApp for Windows in any form, it’s worth updating your team about security best practices and double-checking that you have all the necessary safeguards.
Education
Ongoing training and education are critical to addressing evolving threats. Keep employees in the loop about new threats, like this latest WhatsApp for Windows threat, and how to identify potential risks. Remind them never to open files or click links from unknown senders; when in doubt, confirm.
Antivirus and Malware Protection
Keeping your antivirus and malware protection up-to-date is key to blocking malicious files. Configure these programs to automatically update to ensure you always have the most current protection.
Operation and Application Security Patches
Although developers don’t always release security updates and patches for every vulnerability (as we see with this WhatsApp vulnerability), install them immediately if you receive notifications about new patch releases.
Network Security Monitoring
Some of the behaviors to watch for include multiple attempts to access the network from unfamiliar IP addresses, unusual data transfers, and excessive network traffic.
The Takeaway
WhatsApp for Windows is a convenient way for your teams to communicate and sync conversations across platforms. Still, following security best practices when using this program is just as important as any other. Remind your teams about the risks of opening suspicious files to prevent a catastrophic breach. Also when using popular software together there are serious risks that need to be understood and mitigated.
Additional Information for You
BleepingComputer: WhatsApp for Windows lets Python, PHP scripts execute with no warning
TechRadar: WhatsApp for Windows had a potentially serious security flaw — but good news, you should be safe
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By Denis Wilson
Thanks for reading this post. I always take into mind that your time and attention are precious. And these posts need to be timely, to the point, and short. For more tips on thriving with small business technology, check out the other blog posts at DWPIA Blogs. You can also find me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.
I am also a published author and speaker on cloud computing, remote-work, cybersecurity, and AI. I work extensively with business and professional associations to provide small business technology education programs.
Contact me if you have any questions about the subject. I'd be happy to spend 15 minutes discussing it with you.
