Dutch Intelligence Exposes Russian-Linked Hacking Campaign Targeting Secure Messaging Apps

Dutch intelligence services have publicly identified a sophisticated hacking campaign, linked to Russian actors, that compromised the private Signal and WhatsApp accounts of European officials, military personnel, and journalists. The Netherlands' General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and its Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) led the investigation, warning that confidential information was accessed.

The hackers primarily used a tactic of impersonating customer service chatbots to trick users into revealing verification codes. In some cases, they exploited the 'linked devices' feature within the applications to gain entry. Following the discovery, Dutch authorities issued a formal cyber threat alert to government partners across Europe, offering direct assistance to mitigate the breach.

Vice Admiral Peter Risinck, Director of the MIVD, offered a stark warning in light of the incidents. "Even with end-to-end encryption, applications like Signal and WhatsApp should not be used for sharing secret, confidential, or highly sensitive information," he stated. The advisory underscores a critical vulnerability in platforms often assumed to be completely secure.

The revelation follows recent reports that Russian hacking groups DarkWarios and QuietSec breached Ukraine's military messenger, Milchat, and its 'Reserve+' electronic conscription service. The Dutch disclosure signals a persistent and widening digital espionage effort targeting government and defense communications across the continent.

Source: Lenta.RU