Have You Updated Your Whatsapp App Yet?
If you have seen the news today, you will know that WhatsApp has urged its 1.5 billion users to ensure they have the latest update of their incredibly popular app installed after a security breach by hackers resulted in the development of software which allowed them to listen in on your phone.
Once the software has been installed on your phone, the Pegasus spyware has the ability to turn on the phone’s camera and microphone, read emails and messages and collect information about the location of the person using the phone.
In a statement, WhatsApp said: “This attack has all the hallmarks of a private company known to work with governments to deliver spyware that reportedly takes over the functions of mobile phone operating systems.”
How do I update WhatsApp on my phone?
The good news is that you can easily update WhatsApp from your phone’s application store. Please note if you received a message that isn’t supported by your version of WhatsApp, these are the steps which you must follow to update WhatsApp.
- Android: Go to Play Store, then tap Menu > My apps & games. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
- Alternatively, go to Play Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap UPDATE under WhatsApp Messenger.
- iPhone: Go to App Store, then tap Updates. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
- Alternatively, go to App Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
- Windows Phone 8.1: Go to Store, then tap Menu > my apps > WhatsApp > update.
- Alternatively, go to Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap WhatsApp > update.
- Windows Phone 10: Go to Microsoft Store, then tap Menu > My Library. Tap Update next to WhatsApp.
- Alternatively, go to Microsoft Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap WhatsApp > Update.
- KaiOS: Press JioStore or Store on the apps menu. Scroll to the side to select Social, then select WhatsApp. Press OK or SELECT > UPDATE.
We encourage you to always use the latest version of WhatsApp. Latest versions contain the newest features and bug fixes.
Have you been hacked?
It’s too early to say. WhatsApp believes only a handful of people, including human-rights activists and a UK-lawyer, were targeted. Citizen Lab, a research group at the University of Toronto, said: “We believe an attacker tried (and was blocked by WhatsApp) to exploit it as recently as yesterday to target a human rights lawyer.”
Further Information
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Becoming A Google Local Guide
The creation of the ‘Google Local Guides’ programme offers a great way of being able to review local businesses on a regular basis whilst also developing a level of trust with Google.
In order to become a ‘Local Guide’, you will need to sign up at maps.google.com and then take a proactive approach in regards to uploading images, reviewing local businesses, updating business details which you know to be incorrect and many more.
Earning Perks As a Local Guide
Google Local Guides unlock Google perks like access to new features as they earn points.
As a Local Guide, you earn points for sharing reviews, photos and knowledge on Google Maps. Those points lead to higher levels of the programme as well as benefits such as early access to Google features and special perks from partners. At Level 4, you also unlock your first Local Guides badge, which helps your contributions to places get noticed.
Make sure you’ve signed up for updates by reviewing your email preferences on your Local Guides settings page.
Points, Levels and Badges
Earn points by contributing content to Google Maps. Score a place with ratings, describe your experience with reviews, share photographs and videos, provide insights with answers, respond to questions about a place, update information with place edits, add missing places or verify the information by checking facts.
| Maps contribution | Points earned |
|---|---|
| Review | 5 points per review |
| Review with more than 200 characters | 5 bonus points per review |
| Rating | 1 point per rating |
| Photo | 5 points per photo |
| In-stream video | 7 points per video |
| Answer | 1 point per answer |
| Respond to Q&As | 3 points per response |
| Edit | 5 points per edit |
| Place added | 15 points per place added |
| Fact checked | 1 point per fact-checked |
Local Guides levels
Reach higher levels as you earn points for your contributions.
Please Note – Points and levels can take up to 24 hours to be updated. Points do not expire, though they may decrease if the content is removed for violating Google’s policies. Remain an active contributor on Google Maps to be eligible for perks and early access to new features.
Contact Us
If you would like any further information regarding becoming a Google Local Guide, Footprint Web Design have been at the forefront of web design and Social Media development for nearly 20 years. If you are looking for a website that truly represents your business, or advice on how to make your site stand out, then contact us today on 01883 372 488, or via email at info@footprint.co.uk.
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Can WhatsApp Help Your Business?
WhatsApp Business is a free to download app available on Android and iPhone, and was built with the small business owner in mind. WhatsApp Business makes interacting with customers easy by providing tools to automate, sort and quickly respond to messages.
It’s also intended to feel and work just like WhatsApp Messenger. You can use it to do everything that you’re used to doing, from messaging to sending photos.
Some of the features we currently offer in the app include:
- Business profile to list important information, such as a company’s address, email and website.
- Statistics to see how many messages were successfully sent, delivered, and read.
- Messaging tools to quickly respond to customers.
You can learn how to download it from the Google Play Store and the App Store.
WhatsApp can help you provide customer support and deliver important notifications to your customers.
If you’re not a business, there’s no need to download this separate app. You can continue using your WhatsApp Messenger account for free to talk to friends, family and businesses.
Business Profile
Create a business profile with helpful information for your customers like your address, business description, email address, and website.
Quick Replies
Quick Replies let you save and reuse messages you frequently send so you can easily answer common questions in no time.
Labels
Messaging Tools
Send your customers the information they are expecting where they want to receive it. Respond to questions and provide support.
WhatsApp Business API
Contact Us
If you would like any further information regarding the suitability of using WhatsApp for your business, contact us today.
Footprint Web Design have been at the forefront of web design and Social Media development for nearly 20 years. If you are looking for a website that truly represents your business, or advice on how to make your site stand out, then contact us today on 01883 372 488, or via email at info@footprint.co.uk.
