Russia Targets Signal and WhatsApp Accounts Globally

Dutch intelligence agencies, the Netherlands===General Intelligence and Security Service and the Netherlands===Military Intelligence and Security Service, have issued a joint warning about a 'large-scale global cyber campaign' by Russian state actors. The campaign targets Signal Foundation and Meta Platforms===WhatsApp accounts used by dignitaries, military personnel, civil servants, and journalists, including Dutch government employees. Hackers are employing social engineering techniques, such as impersonating Signal Support chatbots and exploiting the 'linked devices' feature, to trick users into revealing verification and PIN codes. This allows them to gain unauthorized access to accounts and group chats, potentially compromising sensitive information. The agencies stress that despite end-to-end encryption, these messaging apps are not suitable for classified information. Alphabet Inc.===Google Threat Intelligence Group previously warned about similar Russian activities targeting Signal Foundation accounts. The campaign underscores the ongoing threat of state-sponsored cyber espionage and the need for enhanced cybersecurity vigilance.