A new warning has been issued for millions of WhatsApp and Signal users. User accounts on these two instant messaging platforms used around the world can be hacked. Government officials, army and some journalists have been specifically targeted. A Dutch security and intelligence firm has issued an alert about this global cyber attack.
The Dutch Intelligence Agency has issued a warning about this new cyber attack. Security experts have said in their alert that Russian hackers are currently targeting users. The accounts of many WhatsApp and Signal users have been hacked. Hackers are gaining access to users’ accounts by deceiving them and then targeting them.
This is how they target them
The security agency says that hackers first lure WhatsApp and Signal users around the world to chat with them and then use their personal information to gain access to their accounts. These hackers, posing as support staff or trusted individuals, lure users into their chats. Then they get control over their account. Additionally, hackers use the linked devices feature of Signal and WhatsApp to link other devices to users’ accounts and then infiltrate their chats.
The Dutch intelligence agency says that both WhatsApp and Signal have end-to-end encryption, so that only sending and receiving users can read conversations on these apps. With this, hackers can control the user’s account and keep an eye on the communication. Security experts say that if users give their verification codes to hackers, their accounts can be easily intercepted. Even end-to-end encryption cannot protect users from this.
Users are advised to:
Security experts have advised users of both the apps to protect themselves from hackers, which includes not sharing their OTP or verification code with anyone. He also cautioned them against clicking on unknown links or messages. He also advised them to turn on two-factor authentication on apps to prevent access to their accounts. Additionally, he advised them to change their passwords if they notice any suspicious activity on their accounts.
