WhatsApp and its security flaw within locations

WhatsApp is in the news from time to time because the problems it have with security when using the instant messaging service. Now we know that is not so difficult that our location is known through our IP address. A finding made by the people from Security By Default and that can give a lot to talk about.

It seems that this security problem is occurring in the Android version of the instant messaging service, because showing a preview image of a URL that is sent to us through a chat message and thumbnail image with which it is accompanied. This miniature leads to the download request of the web server and with the request arrives the IP address that we have assigned, thus somehow we reveal our location.

WhatsApp and the various security problems

We must also say that the geographical locations of IP addresses are not accurate at all, but there’s no doubt that can pose a risk to users who use this system WhatsApp because in some cases you can geo-positioning more or less exactly that IP address. Although we have a way to increase our security by disabling the option to know the location of someone thanks to some of the chats.

Clearly it is not a great danger to users of WhatsApp, but are always issues to consider if we treat sensitive issues through the instant messaging service. It is also advisable not to enter to links received through messages because that can lead you to a web server that controlled your IP address and maybe it will made it public.