If you’re using WhatsApp Desktop, Facebook (who owns Whatsapp) as advised users to update their program to the latest version in order to patch a potentially threatening bug.
A find by Gal Weizman suggests that a flaw exists in an older build of the software that allows attackers to remotely gain access to your chats, read them and even alter the texts sent. The flaw was possible due to WhatsApp using a software called Electron, which Ars Technica notes having prior issues too.
With the loophole, hackers can also create bogus preview banners for URL links that may lead to predatory sites. Plus, the attackers could run a JavaScript code within the WhatsApp Desktop app and gain access to local files too – scary.
If your current build is on version 0.3.9309 and earlier or users who’ve paired the desktop app with WhatsApp for iPhone older than 2.20.10; then you will need to update your program immediately. If you haven’t received a prompt for the update, or aren’t able to perform it – re-install the program, and it should install the latest version, which should be 0.4.315 on Windows.