Government Issues Security Alert: Risks of Using WhatsApp Web on Office Laptops

The Indian government is alerting users about the risks associated with using WhatsApp Web on office laptops. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued an advisory recommending that individuals avoid using WhatsApp Web on work devices. The advisory explains that using WhatsApp Web on office systems can potentially expose personal conversations and files to the company’s administrators and IT departments. This access can be gained through malware, screen-monitoring software, or browser hijacking. The advisory comes amid rising cybersecurity threats in the workplace. The Information Security Awareness Team has identified WhatsApp Web as a potential security vulnerability, acting as an entry point for malware and phishing attacks. Additionally, the advisory suggests that using office Wi-Fi may provide companies with some degree of access to employee phones. The government advises logging out of WhatsApp Web after each use and exercising caution when dealing with unknown links or attachments.